Whitecaps footballer, Portland FC and Portland Phoenix coaches!
Today’s a great day for some soccer. Sure it is a bit wet and cold in Vancouver. But that’s how we roll on the Westcoast. So if you’re downtown, think about stopping by the Art Gallery lawn and support the 24 Hour Soccer Marathon.
The kick off was at 7:45 AM this morning and throughout the day there will be some great music, food, entertainment and soccer (cue jazz hands!). The whole marathon is aimed at raising awareness around the New Fountain Shelter, an amazing homeless shelter that’s been in operation since early 2009.
Opened at Christmas in 2008, the New Fountain Shelter, funded for only 27 beds, regularly sleeps close to 40 people night after night. In addition to providing a temporary shelter for Vancouver’s homeless the New Fountain has connected over 300 people to safe, permanent housing and works hard to connect people to the medical and social services they need. BC Housing has announced that funding will not be continued beyond April 30th, after which time the Shelter would be forced to close, putting people back on the streets.
To help draw attention to the shelter and all the great work it does, Portland FC and Portland Phoenix (both of which have many players drawn from the New Fountain) will be playing for 24 hours straight to highlight the shelter and its great work. Pop by on your lunch break, coffee break, after work or at 2 PM on the way home from the bar. We’ll still be playing soccer! Check out some great initial photos from the event. Special shout out to some VIPs that took time to come out and show support to the shelter. Note the really,tall guy is David Eby, who is making a run at an MLA seat in Vancouver West Pt. Grey against new BC Premier Christy Clark. In goal is Vision Vancouver Councillor Andrea Reimer and on the field playing is Vision Vancouver Park Commissioner Sarah Blyth. Great work everyone!
