Wednesday, June 1, 2005
TAMPA, FL -- As part of their community involvement program, the Puerto Rico Islanders will join Auxiliaris, Inc. and “Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico”, the local chapter of America’s Second Harvest, in two separate charity initiatives.
Beginning with their June 2 match against the Minnesota Thunder in Bayamón, the Islanders will join Auxiliaris, Inc., a local non-profit organization, to launch the “A Goal for Hope” (Un Gol por la Esperanza) campaign.
The drive aims to collect new or used soccer equipment donated by fans to be sent to needy children in other parts of the world. Auxiliaris, Inc., through an agreement with Utah-based Operation Give and Federal Express, sends all donations to their final destination.
This year, children in Iraq will be receiving all soccer equipment donations collected by the Islanders, and other countries will benefit in subsequent seasons.
Visiting teams are invited to join this campaign by bringing their used or new equipment donations when they come to play in Puerto Rico.
“We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the Islanders and our other sponsors to make this drive a reality. It is a great feeling to deliver happiness and hope through soccer to needy children around the world,” said José Jiménez Tirado, president and founder of Auxiliaris, Inc.
The Islanders will also join the National Hunger Awareness Day 2005 campaign through Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico, the local chapter of America’s Second Harvest, a non-profit food bank that collects food donations from supermarkets, food warehouses and individuals to deliver them to other charitable organizations that feed the hungry.
Islanders fans are being encouraged to donate non-perishable food items during their June 6 match in Bayamón against the Portland Timbers. Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico will then collect all donations to be distributed to the clients they serve. The Islanders’ National Hunger Awareness Day 2005 initiative is listed on America’s Second Harvest’s web site under
www.hungerday.org.
“Social responsibility and community involvement are fundamental values for any sports team. We consider it an honor to contribute to these great causes and are thankful for the vote of confidence both Auxiliaris and Banco de Alimentos have placed on the Islanders to help them in their commendable endeavors,” stated Mr. Jorge Pierluisi, Vice President and CFO of the Islanders.
