CHICAGO, June 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
- Chevrolet to donate pop-up soccer pitch, 2014 Silverado pickup truck and trailer to Beyond the Ball to help foster play in areas associated with gang culture
- Manchester United legend Gary Bailey, volunteer coaches to help local children improve skills, build self-esteem, resolve conflict
Chevrolet today will donate a pop-up soccer pitch to help Beyond the Ball, a youth and community development organization, transform a neighborhood associated with gang culture into a place where children can play and learn valuable life skills.
Chevrolet also will donate a 2014 Silverado pickup truck and trailer to the organization, which plans to use the equipment in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
Manchester United soccer legend Gary Bailey and Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz will attend the donation ceremony in Little Village this afternoon.
"Chevrolet's support will allow us to build better street soccer programs and spread play to areas where it's needed most," said Rob Castaneda, founder and executive director of Beyond the Ball. "It's proven that play provides children with resilience and helps them better manage stress. Our goal is not to take the kids out of the community but enhance the neighborhood for them, turning violent streets into more playful and peaceful places."
Activities during today's ceremony will include a soccer skills clinic, a tournament with dozens of local children and a donation of 250 nearly indestructible One World Futbol soccer balls. Chevrolet also is providing training for local soccer coaches so they can teach children to use the sport to build self-esteem and resolve conflict.
Today's donation is part of Chevrolet's global "What Do You #PlayFor?" campaign, which launched in March and celebrates how play can transform communities where it is needed most.
"Soccer is a beautiful game that has the ability to bring people together and change lives in a positive manner," said Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. "Through our partnership with Manchester United and One World Futbol Project, Chevrolet is bringing people closer to the sport while at the same time helping spread play around the world."
As the Official Automobile Partner of Manchester United, Chevrolet is tapping the club's legends to work with soccer coaches and children in regions around the world where play is needed most. In April, Chevrolet revitalized a soccer pitch in Bandung, Indonesia, on behalf of a local organization that uses soccer to increase the quality of life for people living with HIV and drug addiction.
This and other stories about Chevrolet's effort to spread play around the world can be found in videos at www.chevroletfc.com.
Chevrolet and One World Futbol Project are collaborating to bring the power of play to children around the world by donating and distributing 1.5 million nearly indestructible soccer balls to organizations working in developing communities. Chevrolet-sponsored One World Futbols have been delivered to more than 55 countries, affecting the lives of an estimated 21 million children.
Chevrolet is planning several additional announcements and fan engagements, including a July reveal of the Chevrolet-branded Manchester United shirt, when Chevrolet will ask fans to take part in a unique digital experience.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on Chevrolet's commitment to football, please visit www.chevroletfc.com.
SOURCE Chevrolet
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