The Houston Dynamo Football Club will host its first-ever Dynamo Charities Weekend this Saturday and Sunday as the Dynamo take on the Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday night and the Dash host Kansas City NWSL on Sunday evening.
Dynamo Charities Weekend will see both teams, as well as many of the Club's corporate partners and both teams' fans, come together to raise funds for Dynamo Charities.Â
As the official 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of the Houston Dynamo Football Club, Dynamo Charities' mission is to grow the game of soccer in Houston and use the power of the world’s game to support worthy causes in the Houston community. The organization focuses its efforts around three main pillars: Youth Enrichment, Youth Soccer and Cancer Awareness and Research.
Fans can get involved in several ways, including by simply attending the match. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has committed to donate $1 from each single-game ticket sold for this weekend's contests to Dynamo Charities.Â
Several of the Club's corporate partners have committed to support the initiative by donating money based on how the teams perform. BBVA has committed to donate $500 for every save made by Dynamo and Dash goalkeepers up to $5,000. For Saturday’s Dynamo game, GOYA Foods will donate $2,000 worth of food for every goal the Dynamo score and Kroger will contribute $100 for every Dynamo corner kick on Saturday night on top of the $50 per corner kick they have pledged to Kids Meals Houston throughout the season.
Once inside the Stadium, fans will have several ways to contribute to the cause. Signs throughout the building will have a special QR code which fans can scan to access a donation portal. They can also purchase a 24-ounce commemorative cup for $2 from Levy Restaurants, the Club’s official concessionaire, with net proceeds going to Dynamo Charities. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Levy has been unable to sell fountain drinks in the commemorative cups, so this provides fans a great way to collect the commemorative item and give back at the same time. Fanatics, the Club's official merchandise retailer, will also donate a portion of the weekend's sales to Dynamo Charities.
Fans watching the broadcast on QuestTexas Ch. 55 or on ESPN+ can contribute by scanning a QR code from their TV or laptop screen to access the donation portal as well.
Finally, nearly two dozen Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash players are participating by committing to donate their match-worn boots. The players won't be wearing regular soccer boots, either - their shoes are being custom-painted by noted renowned artist Marcus Rivero, better known by his popular Instagram account @solesbysir. Rivero has designed custom footwear for several NFL and NBA players, along with a number of professional soccer players. After this weekend, the players' boots will be auctioned off with proceeds going to Dynamo Charities.
