24 Hour Marathon Soccer Match To Benefit The Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks

PRESS RELEASE

24 Hour Marathon Soccer Match The Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks And Springfield Soccer Club Team Up

On January 23rd, 2009 the Springfield Soccer Club will host a 24-hour marathon soccer match as a charity/fundraising event, to help benefit the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks.

This is the 2nd year for this event and Director of Soccer Operations Jeremy Alumbaugh is excited to host this event as it helps benefit such a worthy organization. “Last year’s inaugural event was a tremendous success both in the amount of funds that were raised but also with creating a sense of caring for our community by the players, parents and coaches in the club. It showed that when the Springfield Soccer Club family gets behind a cause that we can be quite powerful in helping out those in need.”

Players and coaches will participate during the 24 hour marathon soccer match and a score is kept, last year the red team prevailed with a score of 590-583. All 26 teams will participate in the 4 v 4 indoor game held at the Springfield Soccer Club Indoor Facility.

Last year, Springfield Soccer Club partnered with the Community Partnership of the Ozarks and raised over $19,000 to help kids in need. We hope to exceed this goal this year as we strive to build a strong community and partner with the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks. “We are so grateful for this opportunity to work with the Springfield Soccer Club family and children in our community to help the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House. The need is greater than ever as plans are finalized for a new Ronald McDonald House within the walls at St. John’s Hospital,” said Bonnie Keller, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks.

In addition to playing in the match players from the Springfield Soccer Club will put together welcome kits that are distributed to families when they arrive at the Ronald McDonald House. Players will also make visits to local hospitals where the children are staying and deliver jerseys, soccer balls and posters. “Having stayed at the Ronald McDonald House back in Iowa City while my cousin underwent surgery for a brain tumor I know firsthand how comforting that environment can be for families.” said Alumbaugh.

Planning continues for a Ronald McDonald House to be built within a new state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot women’s and children’s unit on the fifth and sixth floors of St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. The new Ronald McDonald House is expected to be open before 2010.

The most needed and appreciated benefit of all will be shared between families, giving each other
encouragement, hope and comfort and sharing their true understanding of having an ill or injured child. For more information about the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks, visit their website

Springfield Soccer Club seeks to develop soccer players to their fullest athletic, educational, and social potential. This will be accomplished by providing a high level of education and training necessary for each individual player to be their best on and off the field.

For more information about Springfield Soccer Club and the 24 Hour Marathon Soccer Match please visit the club website at www.springfieldsportsclub.com