PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that goalkeeper and children’s book author Jeff Attinella has donated 1,000 new copies of his book “The Curse Ends: The Story of the 2016 Chicago Cubs” to Chicago non-profit organization Cradles to Crayons, which provides children essential items they need to thrive at home, at school and at play.
“Cradles to Crayons does such important work in providing the basic necessities to families,” Attinella said. “We’re hopeful that our books can support their mission, while also giving families a bit of a fun outlet by sharing story time, especially when kids are missing their usual routines.”
An eight-year MLS veteran, Attinella, 31, has made 86 appearances (84 starts) and tallied 19 shutouts across all competitions for the Timbers since joining the club in 2017. Attinella and his family launched their own sports-based publishing company, It Had To Be Told Publishing, in 2017 in which he is the author of all five published books. Additionally, the ebook version of “The Curse Ends: The Story of the 2016 Chicago Cubs” can be downloaded for free on Apple Books and Google Play.
“Especially as a crisis occurs, we are thankful to be part of a community that cares and responds to the needs of children in the community,” said Shoshana Buchholz-Miller, Executive Director at Cradles to Crayons. “Because we are only providing new learning essentials for children during this time, book donations like, “The Curse Ends: The Story of the 2016 Chicago Cubs” make such a difference.”
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with essential items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities. The first Cradles to Crayons warehouse was opened in Boston in 2002, and now has operations in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia and annually provides more than 245,000 children in poverty with essential items – including backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes and winter coats. To learn more about Cradles to Crayons, click here.
About Stand Together
Through the Timbers’ community outreach platform, Stand Together, the team is committed to furthering its community mission to harness the power of sport to improve the lives of children and families in the region through targeted programs, deep partnerships and philanthropic giving. For more on the Timbers community outreach programs and partners, visit www.timbers.com/stand-together.
