Black Tie Soccer Game 2019 Raises $115,000 for Soccer in the Streets
On Sunday, Sept. 8th, Soccer in the Streets held its annual Black Tie Soccer Game 2019. Soccer in the Streets’ end of year gala hosted family and friends. Instead of the standard banquet dinner, the participants dressed up and play soccer to raise money in support of social impact soccer initiatives benefiting thousands of underserved children in the metro Atlanta area. This year, the Black Tie Event raised $115,000 for Soccer in the Streets.
Black Tie Soccer Game 2019 Raises $115,000 for Soccer in the Streets
Yves Ahishakiye wins the Napolitano Award and
Sarah Paxton wins the Community Volunteer of the Year Award
On Sunday, Sept. 8th, Soccer in the Streets held its annual Black Tie Soccer Game 2019. Soccer in the Streets’ end of year gala hosted family and friends. Instead of the standard banquet dinner, the participants dressed up and play soccer to raise money in support of social impact soccer initiatives benefiting thousands of underserved children in the metro Atlanta area. This year, the Black Tie Event raised $115,000 for Soccer in the Streets. The top fundraising team was the Black Team with $51,000. Also announced were the winners of the Community Volunteer of the Year Award and Napolitano Award, given to Sarah Paxton and Clarkston FC U15 boys captain Yves Ahishakiye, respectively.
“The Black Tie Soccer Game is a unique event for the organization that brings out the best in our many supporters who believe in our mission,” said Phil Hill, Soccer in the Streets executive director. “ Through their efforts, we’re able to continue to fund and grow our programs as all of the money go back into the many communities we serve throughout Atlanta.”
All proceeds support Soccer in the Streets' free youth programs in 26 locations across metro Atlanta - including 13 elementary schools, 10 community programs, and Leadership program execution - providing social impact by using soccer as a medium to build young leaders who live rich lives and cultivate healthy communities. Soccer in the Streets impacts over 5,000 kids each year and launched the first Homeless Soccer Program in the metro Atlanta area. The organization centers its holistic programs on leadership, service, and enrichment.
The Community Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to someone that has had a positive impact on the organization and shows his or her ability to be a leader both on and off the field. This year’s winner - Sarah Paxton - has been a member of the Atlanta community and volunteer for the organization. She helps out with various needs at our fundraising events and soccer youth program jamborees.
“Sarah has been an outstanding volunteer for the organization,” said Tony Carter, Soccer in the Streets director of programs. “We can always count on her to show up to events and help out wherever needed.”
The Napolitano Award, now in its sixth year, is presented to someone who embodies leadership, service, and enrichment around the beautiful game. This year‘s award was presented to Yves Ahishakiye. Ahishakiye has shown discipline and leadership to his fellow teammates and is the captain of his team.
“Yves is the perfect recipient for the Napolitano Award not because of his on the field play but his character,” said Clarkston FC Program Manager Toussaint McClure. “ Similar to Nick, Yves is hardworking, disciplined, and very determined.”
Gresselmania Golf Classic 2019
Julian Gressel’s Inaugural Gresselmania Golf Classic Raises Over $90,000 to Help Build a Field for Soccer in the Streets Next StationSoccer Location in Atlanta
Pro soccer player Julian Gressel and his wife, Casey, hosted their inaugural Gresselmania Golf Classic fundraiser on Monday, September 3rd at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth
Julian Gressel’s Inaugural Gresselmania Golf Classic Raises Over $90,000 to Help Build a Field for Soccer in the Streets Next StationSoccer Location in Atlanta
Pro soccer player Julian Gressel and his wife, Casey, hosted their inaugural Gresselmania Golf Classic fundraiser on Monday, September 3rd at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth.
"We are proud to announce that the Gresselmania Golf Classic raised more than $90,000 -- the proceeds from our event will go directly to Soccer in the Streets to fund a soccer field at the next Soccer Station build in the metro Atlanta area,” said Julian Gressel. "Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners, donors, and friends for coming out to the Gresselmania Golf Classic -- it was an amazing day!"
“Thank you to Julian and Casey for their support and dedication in creating this tournament to help raise funds for a field that will provide access for the youth of Atlanta to the game of soccer,” said Phil Hill, executive director of Soccer in the Streets. “And, thank you to all of the sponsors and participants for their generosity.”
The Golf Classic featured a day on the links golfing with sports and entertainment celebrities. Many of Julian’s teammates and friends rallied to join him to make it a fun day in a stunning setting at the TPC Sugarloaf. 92.9 The Game Sports Radio was on hand for a special LIVE tournament remote to catch all the fun and excitement, along with interviews with Julian and his teammates.
Tournament sponsors and participants were treated to fun contests including a Hole in One contests sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and PGA Tour Superstore. Great food partners offered an array of delicious food and beverages along the course from Beautiful Briny Sea, Babalu’s Tapas And Tacos, Three Taverns Brewery, Wild Heaven Beer, and Landshark. Golfers and guests enjoyed a VIP Post Golf party in the clubhouse featuring unique LIVE and Silent auction experiences and sports memorabilia, including a day of golf with Julian at TPC Sugarloaf, and more.
A special thanks to all of the tournament sponsors including, Envistacom, PGA Tour Superstore, Mercedes Benz, Piedmont Healthcare, 92.9 the Game, McDonald’s, CAHABA Wealth Management, Frazier and Deeter, Andre de Winter/ Compass, 360 Team, Bennett Thrasher, Conway Wealth Group, Wild Haven Craft Beer, Colliers International, Landshark Margaritaville, Turner Studios, Darren Eales and Richard Mendelsohn, SP Financial Group, Atlanta United, Adidas, Babalu Tapas and Tacos, Beautiful Briney Sea, Bayside FC, Barnes and Thornburg LLP, Haufe, Keller Williams Abbie Shepherd, and Ortho Atlanta.
Celebrities and special guests at the tournament included Gressel’s professional soccer teammates Brek Shea, Jeff Larentowicz, Kevin Kratz, Alec Kann, Leandro González Pirez, Michael Parkhurst, and Brendan Moore, as well as Brian Finneran, former Atlanta Falcon and 680 the Fan Sports Radio Host, Jason Webster, former Atlanta Falcon, Zach Klein, WSBTV Sports Anchor, Steve Craig, 97.1 the River, and Carl Dukes and Mike Bell – afternoon hosts on 92.9 the Game Sports Radio.
Soccer in the Streets has a vision that all children will have the opportunity to succeed. Soccer in the Streets pursues leveling the playing field for all, affording access to the sport regardless of race, gender, religion, or socio-economic status. They strive to integrate our communities, intertwining efforts from corporations, education systems, government, non-profits, and community leaders to better the lives of youth through soccer.
MLS kicks in to support Soccer in the Streets and the Latin American Association Partnership
Sequoyah Middle School is the proud, new beneficiary of a refurbished soccer facility thanks to MLS WORKS. The social and community relations arm of MLS came to Atlanta in August as part of the Campeones Cup Community Project to officially open the facility.
MLS kicks in to support Soccer in the Streets and the Latin American Association Partnership
Sequoyah Middle School is the proud, new beneficiary of a refurbished soccer facility thanks to MLS WORKS. The social and community relations arm of MLS came to Atlanta in August as part of the Campeones Cup Community Project to officially open the facility. The Latin American Association (LAA) youth mentorship program and Soccer in the Streets will use the facility for a new after-school soccer program. The new facility includes a freshly sodded soccer field, with soccer lines, new goals, and equipment. A mural by local artist Thomas Turner celebrates the community and commemorates the Campeones Cup.
The opening ceremony featured a community flare with players from the reigning MLS champion Atlanta United and Club America from Liga MX welcoming the kids with inspirational words and then conducting training exercises.
The LAA and Soccer in the Streets have partnered to pursue leadership development and after-school soccer programs. In addition to Sequoyah Middle School and Cross Keys School in the Buford Highway Corridor will benefit from the program. The Brookhaven area is experiencing significant growth of its soccer programs, and Soccer in the Streets is proud to be a part of that growth.
“This partnership is a groundbreaking way to approach youth development because we are combining students’ passion for soccer with leadership programming tailored to their experiences as immigrants or first-generation students,” said LAA Managing Director of Education Eliezer Velez. “The program will have a profound impact and will empower our students to become leaders, develop career goals and achieve higher education.”
Soccer in the Streets focuses on leadership and character development while using soccer as a medium. The vision of the partnership with the LAA is to improve student achievement across three areas: attendance, behavior, and grades. Along with delivering targeted support to address non-academic needs enabling children to be more ready to learn.
“To have this partnership with the LAA is important for our organization,” said Soccer in the Streets Executive Director Phil Hill. “We know this will have a big impact on the kids so they can have a safe place to play in the Buford Highway area which is already a strong soccer community.”
