PHOTOS: Soccer Ball
The 3rd Annual Soccer Ball was our most successful fundraiser to date. All together we net over $100,000 and 599 attendees came to Salvage One to support UI at the event and celebrate the program’s success. Thank you again to our Soccer Ball sponsors, donors, Host Committee, Board, volunteers, and attendees. Special thanks to our Party Planning Committee: Paula Armstrong, Maggie Belliel, Connie Falcone, Jutta Hilpuesch, Jenny Morgan, and Katy Reichert. We are confident that we have the best fundraising team around. You helped us exceed our expectations and the event was a ball!
Special thanks to Rhonda Holcomb for photographing the 2009 Soccer Ball. She did a wonderful job and we appreciate her support. Enjoy the image gallery!
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Serves as Soccer Ball Honorary Chair
Dear Supporter of Urban Initiatives,
Welcome! It is my pleasure to serve as this year's Honorary Chair of The Soccer Ball adn to support Urban Initiatives in its mission to provide a quality health and educational soccer program to Chicago’s inner city youth. At the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), we recognize that children’s out of school time is just as valuable to their growth and development as their time spent inside the classroom.
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Chris and Jenny Morgan Share Why They Support Urban Initiatives
Urban Initiatives has had a huge impact on us and our family because of the connection we feel both to the kids UI serves and the organization itself. With UI there is always an opportunity for close contact with the kids--a Crosstown Classic, attending a practice at one of the city schools, or going on an outing with some of the UI kids. We took advantage of these opportunities as a family when we first learned about UI, and seeing our kids with the UI kids underscored how alike in spirit all children are, and how much UI does to foster that spirit and channel it in positive ways. After playing soccer together and hanging out on the sidelines, our kids and the UI kids were like old friends, talking about normal kids' stuff--their favorite video games, sports teams, music and foods. Whatever the differences in circumstance, they still found a common bond, and as a UI boy told us after the outing, "We're family now. You're in my heart." That experience left an indelible impression on us all.
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