UNFC is excited to announce our 2013 partnership with the Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program, an unique fundraising program our donors can get excited about!

The Birdies for Charity program, provides 501 (c)(3) organizations in Connecticut the opportunity to raise funds by collecting pledges based on the number of birdies made by PGA TOUR professionals during tournament week. At the conclusion of the tournament, the Travelers Championship will calculate the number of birdies made by the pledged amounts, and then will distribute invoices to each of our donors. For example, if an individual makes a $.02 pledge and there are 1,500 birdies made, then that individual will be asked to make a donation of $30.00 to UNFC. The Travelers Championship will donate 100% of the proceeds to our organization. 

You can win too! Birdies for Charity has added even better prizes to the Guess the Birdies contest. Donors can guess the number of birdies that will be made Wednesday-Sunday of the 2013 Travelers Championship. The donor that correctly guesses the number of birdies will win a $1,000 Cash Gift Card provided by CT Association of Nonprofits. Other prizes include 2 tickets to the World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX Theatre, 2 tickets to the Ryder Cup, and a foursome at TPC River Highlands.

Join us in this exciting fundraising initiative! With your help UNFC will also be eligible for additional Birdies for Charity funds through the Bonus Bucks program. CohnReznick, the presenting sponsor of the Birdies for Charity program has generously donated $15,000 to a bonus pool for the top-10 pledge collecting charities. In addition, the top-4 pledge collecting charities as of June 5, 2013 will qualify for an expo booth at the 2013 Travelers Championship, which is vital to the exposure of our organization.

Making a per birdie pledge or flat rate donation is simple and easy. Please just complete the form enclosed or log onto our Birdies for Charity pledge site:  DONATE NOW!

Your pledge commitment to UNFC will help us continue to deliver inspirational youth soccer programs centered on leadership, teamwork, discipline and respect, to enrich lives in the communities we serve. 

Thank you,
UNFC Board of Directors

http://www.unitednationsfc.org/wp-content/themes/coraline_unfc/images/donate-btn.png

History

UNFC's history is summarized in one simple formula:


One Passion + One Inspiration + One Opportunity + One Vision = UNFC

ONE PASSION

UNFC co-founders and life-long soccer enthusiasts, Raphael Rezende and Gustavo Netto, were teammates for 3 years at Sacred Heart University where they played Division I collegiate soccer. Apart from the enjoyment of playing the sport, they've always been appreciative of the opportunities it has offered, such as meaningful, long-lasting, friendships and athletic scholarships that aided in the successful completion of their education. This deep-seeded admiration has been exemplified by how soccer has helped shape them as individuals. In particular, they have focused on 4 key points that are crucial to succeeding as a soccer player and citizen: leadership, teamwork, discipline, and respect. 

ONE INSPIRATION

One Sunday morning, Gustavo came across a video that both touched his heart and made him question his purpose… he wondered, "Do I need to be a super star to make a difference?" He shared this question with Raphael, who similarly wondered what it took to provide today's youth with the same opportunities he was granted as a child.  Together, they began brainstorming ideas on how to harness their passion and drive, and bring people together around a sport that has the ability to unite people from different nations and change lives.  Embracing this urge to do more, they began to reach out to organizations and people who were already touching the lives of the youth around them.

ONE OPPORTUNITY

Early in 2009 Raphael and Gustavo were introduced to Haiti Lumiere de Demain, a non-profit organization based in Stratford, Connecticut that promotes literacy in primary and secondary schools in Haiti. HLD became acquainted with their vision and found it directly aligned with theirs. An invitation was extended to travel with HLD to Haiti to develop and execuate a program for 80 students chosen by their academic drive and success.

On October 8, 2009, Raphael and Gustavo embarked on a trip to the island of La Gonave, Haiti to host a two-day soccer camp. As certified coaches, lifelong players, and soccer enthusiasts, they were ready to give back. Directors and volunteers put together a plan centered on four focal points: leadership, team work, discipline, and respect that engaged over 500 members of the local community in a program to enlighten them on how education and dedication to sports can lead to a bigger and brighter future. This would give birth to what is now one of UNFC's signature programs – Succeed in Soccer, Excel in School!

ONE VISION

Upon their return from Haiti, Gustavo and Raphael felt empowered and motivated to make change.  Realizing that they are only two of many that shared the same passion, they began to seek out other individuals that had the desire to reach out and inspire the youth in the communities around them through soccer. Discovering that there are children everywhere that love to play the game, but do not have access to programs, UNFC endeavored to fill this void. It was then that UNFC, the non-profit organization, was born. Through its programs, UNFC offers children the opportunity to discover and experience the joy that is soccer.

UNFC

That is what UNFC stands for, and will continue to strive toward: sharing our passion and developing inspirational soccer programs to develop future leaders and inspire the communities we serve.

We hope that you will join us and become part of the movement.

Developing Leaders. Inspiring Communities. Serving our World

Soccer is the perfect balance of exercise and leadership/team-building and confidence building for children who are obese, or at risk of becoming obese. Soccer gives us the ability to show kids that exercise can be fun! It also helps develop basic life skills that are transferable to all facets of life (leadership, discipline, teamwork and respect).

On June 25th, in Collaboration with the Optimus Health Clinic, Stamford based organization with the mission of improving the overall health of our communities in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Stratford, particularly the medically underserved. UNFC and Optimus hosted a one-day soccer camp for 75 kids and their parents with the goal of combating childhood obesity by teaching how exercising and healthy eating habits can be fun. STARS Program is a circuit training divided into 8 stations After the completion of each station kids receive a star. At the end of the circuit kids receive a prize.

STARS utilizes the many different aspects of soccer to introduce team building, leadership and healthy living styles. Optimus identified over 100 youth in Stamford that were, or at-risk-of-becoming, obese. Out of those 100, more than 70 spent a day with UNFC and 10 volunteer coaches engaging in 8 different stations focused on passing, agility, strength and nutrition, among others. McDermott said, “We showed these kids that exercise can be fun, not work. Not only did we show them skills and help them reach the height of their ability, but we had the chance to teach them leadership, respect and teamwork – things that will carry them throughout their whole lives.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL STORY

Preparation
By engaging several sources, Raphael, Gustavo and HLD managed to collect 60 soccer balls, 30 pairs of cleats, 15 trophies, and hundreds of jerseys in a two-month period.

On October 8, Raphael, Gustavo and volunteer Nikhil Gangaraju departed JFK Airport on a non-stop flight to Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Soccer Camp Day 1
Day 1 was comprised of two-hour morning and afternoon sessions consisting of drills, tactics, and scrimmages.

Soccer Camp Day 2
The children played two remarkable halves of soccer and the coaches were ecstatic with both teams’ performances.

Award ceremony
Day 2 was concluded with an awards ceremony and a powerful speech from the coaches on how dedication to education and sports has influenced their personal and professional careers. 1 MVP was nominated from each team and awarded a backpack, full soccer uniform set and a pair of soccer cleats. 10 other players were selected to receive soccer jerseys.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS