CHICAGO (July 21, 2021) – The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Football Club, today announced the launch of its second annual fundraiser, “RAISE for P.L.A.Y.S.” The annual fundraiser will begin today and run through Saturday’s match against Toronto FC at Soldier Field.
Saturday’s match will be dedicated to celebrating the Chicago community and raising awareness and resources to fuel the Foundation’s sports-based youth and direct-service programs in our city’s most under-resourced communities. Beginning today, fans can purchase 50/50 raffle tickets to support the P.L.A.Y.S. Program by visiting Fire5050.com. The 50/50 raffle will feature a guaranteed jackpot of $20,000 - the largest in Club history.
Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Fire Foundation’s award-winning P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program, which aims to enhance the academic performance and development of key social and emotional (SEL) skills of elementary school students through a sports-based curriculum.
Additionally, as part of the unique fundraising format, the Club’s broadcast on WGN-TV and CFFC Live and the in-stadium video boards will feature stories of the many lives touched through the Foundation’s programs and the ways fans across Chicago can lend support. Chicago Fire players, coaches, broadcasters and staff will shine a spotlight on the expansive P.L.A.Y.S. Program and the Club’s commitment to serving Chicago and creating safe places for kids to play.
The signature program of the Fire Foundation, P.L.A.Y.S. is helping to change the trajectory of underserved youth in Chicago through innovative and enriching sports-based programming. Recognizing two major voids within the Chicago community, P.L.A.Y.S. was created to address the lack of after-school programming and the need to improve academic performance in Chicago Public Schools. Through a soccer and SEL based curriculum, program participants engage in five out-of-school hours per week over 10 weeks and participate in three game days. P.L.A.Y.S. has engaged more than 4,000 students since the inception of the program in 2013.
