Portland Timbers players, alumni ambassadors, coaches and front office staff are busier than ever—both on and off the field—supporting Stand Together, the team’s community relations platform. This month, the Timbers launched the Stand Together All-Star program and supported other programs and schools throughout the community.
Sebastian Rincon Photo: Ethan Erickson
Sebastian Rincón visits Arco Iris Elementary School
Sebastián Rincón visited Arco Iris Elementary School on May 1 to read to students and participate in a question and answer session. The young Timbers striker has had a strong commitment to Stand Together this season.
Stand Together All-Star
May also marked the kickoff of the Portland Timbers' monthly Stand Together All-Star feature. The Stand-Together All-Star is a person nominated by a friend or family member and honored for his or her outstanding work in the community. This month, Timber Joey and Darlington Nagbe surprised Tony Slyter of Tigard for his support of local high schools and charities through his business, Grocery Outlet. Slyter won Timbers memorabilia, tickets to a Timbers home match and a video spot on the Portland Timbers website.
For more information on the Stand Together All-Star, and to nominate a deserving individual, click here.
Chris Taylor, Ryan Kawulok and Mick Hoban visit AC Portland
Timbers defenders Chris Taylor and Ryan Kawulok and community ambassador Mick Hoban attended AC Portland's first "Spring Frenzy" soccer jamboree at adidas America. Over 175 local youth soccer players from seven schools came together to play small-sided soccer matches. Taylor, Kawulok and Hoban spent the afternoon answering questions, signing autographs and playing soccer with the kids. AC Portland uses soccer as a means of building and strengthening local communities. The program uses soccer as a tool to teach healthy habits and build self esteem in youth throughout the Portland area.
Ryan Kawulok Photo: Ethan Erickson
Active Bodies, Active Minds
Community Ambassador Scot Thompson and Timber Joey continued visiting local schools with their Active Bodies, Active Minds assembly, presented locally by Burgerville. Over 1,075 students at Lynch Wood Elementary and Meadow Park Middle School learned about healthy eating and sleep habits and the importance of exercising, some showing off their soccer skills for their friends by juggling, heading balls and scoring goals.
David Horst with Cub Scouts and Family Reading Night
David Horst had a busy May, returning to the field after recovering from hip surgery. He also was deeply involved in Stand Together events. On May 18, the centerback Horst visited a Cub Scout troop, participating in a question and answer session and signing autographs.
On May 12, he attended Self Enhancement, Inc.'s Red Carpet Event on alongside fellow defender Futty Danso. Self Enhancement, Inc. aims to help at-risk urban youth graduate from high school and continue on to higher education.
Horst also visited Fowler Middle School for Family Reading Night on May 29, and read aloud to groups to encourage families to engage in reading. He also signed autographs and helped raffle off prizes to attendees.
Going Bald for St. Baldrick’s
The Portland Timbers showed their support for the St. Baldrick's Foundation by participating in their 10th anniversary event at Oaks Park on May 19. St. Baldrick’s, a volunteer-based charity focused on finding a cure for children with cancer, encouraged attendees to shave their heads during the fundraiser. The Timbers’ St. Baldrick’s team had 37 members that shaved their heads including Timbers goalkeeper Joe Bendik, Ryan Kawulok and forward Brent Richards, assistant coach Cameron Knowles, alumni ambassadors Scot Thompson and John Bain, front office staff member Pat Rice, and Timber Joey. Fans, supporters from the Timbers Army and front office staff raised over $13,000 and helped the Portland St. Baldrick’s event rank first out of 1,200 foundation events around the world.
Timber Joey learns to strike!
As always, Timber Joey also had a busy month in the community. On May 9, he visited the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel to meet with Alaska Airlines, complete with his chainsaw. Later that day, he supported Open Meadow at Crystal Ballroom, answering trivia questions and mingling with guests to help them raise money for after school programming.
Timber Joey practiced his bowling skills with the help of Chris Taylor and community ambassador Adin Brown on May 24 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest and their Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser. The trio also signed autographs and met the “bigs” and “littles” in attendance for a great cause.
Lovel Palmer kicks off CenturyLink Adopt-a-Club for 2012
Adopt-a-Club, presented by Centurylink, kicked off for 2012 with the help of Hillside S.C. and its Timbers mentor, Lovel Palmer.
Palmer led over 50 youth soccer players through drills and skill stations, answered questions and signed autographs.Adopt-a-Club serves 20 soccer clubs in Oregon and southwest Washington.
Special thanks to the adidas Timbers Team Store and Game Day Merchandising for collecting donations for Somos Timbers this month!
