Charities’ soccer benefit June 16 for refugee children

Soccer players at a past Futbol con Corazon benefiting Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services. (Courtesy photo)
 
June 7, 2018
 
Soccer players of all ages take the field June 16 for Futbol con Corazon, bringing “together community members and unaccompanied minors for a day of soccer, community and fundraising,” Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the day’s sponsor, said. The games take place at Sacred Heart School, 150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, 1–5 p.m.
 
The event was founded three years ago by Diana Otero, Catholic Charities director of Refugee and Immigrant Services of San Mateo, to raise vital funds for unaccompanied minors, children who bravely left their families and fled their countries to escape persecution, abandonment, exploitation, serious deprivation and/or violence living in the Bay Area and receiving services through Catholic Charities, the organization said. “Our program is designed to advise and guide unaccompanied minors through the immigration process and to help immigrants know their rights under the law,” Catholic Charities said.
 
People are invited to attend and donate to the cause as well as bring their own teams to the tourney. “Those interested in fielding a team of up to seven friends, family, and co–workers can do so at three sponsorship levels: $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Our unaccompanied minors will make up the rest of the team,” Catholic Charities said. “They are students – children – going to school, participating in after–school programs, volunteering, and working when they are of age to do so.”
 
Due to the event’s success, Catholic Charities is doubling the number of teams this year from eight to 16.
 
“Our kids have played with the San Mateo Sheriff, Redwood City and East Palo Alto city officials, Telemundo and Univision reporters and anchors, and employees from companies like Google, Walmart and many others,” Catholic Charities said. “Our Catholic Charities staff and community volunteers share their time and talent serving as coaches, referees, cheerleaders, greeters, food preparers, water bearers, and more. It’s a robust partnership in service of resilient youngsters who long for safety, care, family, and a place to call home.”
 
Volunteers are also welcome. CatholicCharitiesSF.org/futbol; dotero@CatholicCharitiesSF.org; (650) 295–2160.