partnerships Donate Life California Chivas USA’s impact in the community can only be matched by the depth and inspiration it finds in the organizations it is proud to support and for the past three years, Chivas USA and Donate Life California have inspired Southern California residents to take action and consider how they could one day give the gift of life. Chivas USA and Donate Life California first connected thanks to Sergio Gomez, an avid Chivas USA fan and member of its Legion 1908 supporters, who is alive thanks to the donation of a kidney from his sister Claudia Pinzon. Chivas USA supports Donate Life in a variety of ways throughout the year. The annual Run/Walk held each spring on the campus of Cal State Fullerton is a team favorite and an opportunity for the ChivaGirls, ChivaFighter and front office staff to join thousands of families impacted by organ and tissue donation. With a nationally-recognized reputation, Donate Life has for many years been a constant presence at the Tournament of Roses Parade held on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. Each year Donate Life commissions their very own Rose Parade Float and as a valued partner, Chivas USA players and staff are privileged enough to count themselves amongst the volunteers invited to decorate their float.
Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw & Pittman Career Panels A valued friend and partner of Chivas USA, the legal team at Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw & Pittman has for the past three years, been the driving force behind a series of career panels that connect legal industry professionals with hundreds of students at middle schools throughout Los Angeles. Each event is attended by a Chivas USA player and members of Pillsbury’s legal team who provide students with insight into their own education and career path as well as send the message that staying in school and getting a college education is important. To ensure that the program has a real impact every event also includes a student academic challenge. The way this works is that school administrators decide in what subject area they want to see students improve and those who step up and improve in their academics are eligible for field level seats to a Chivas USA home game. Every student who participates in the series of panels is rewarded with tickets to a Chivas USA home game making this program an enjoyable experience for all.
LA’s Best Health Fair On Sunday, October 2 LA’s BEST in collaboration with the Consulate General of Mexico and Chivas USA hosted the Annual LA’s Best Health Festival at the Home Depot Center. The Family Health Festival was designed to encourage children and families to make healthier lifelong choices. The fair provided the 5,000 participants hands on experiences including fun and engaging fitness and nutrition activities. The event culminated with everyone attending the Chivas USA soccer match that afternoon.
PADRES Contra El Cáncer Inspired by PADRES Contra El Cáncer’s mission to provide young cancer patients and their families with the services they need brought Chivas USA to launch a mission-driven relationship that engaged team members as well as the team’s own non-profit, Fundación Chivas de Corazón USA. The first stop for the partnership was PADRES’ Annual Stand for HOPE 5K Charity Run/Walk, a special day where Chivas USA joined thousands of families who braved the rain and hail on a cold morning at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Chivas USA’s own run/walk team was in the dozens with owner Antonio Cue and his family joining PADRES National Spokesperson Eva Longoria and ambassadors, Cristian De La Fuente (actor), Beto Cuevas (musician), Enrique Gutierrez (Univision Sports Anchor) and Keven Ramirez (LA radio host), among others. The marquee event for the club and PADRES happened in late August when Chivas USA’s, Fundación Chivas de Corazón USA hosted its 5 th Annual Golf Tournament in honor of the fight against childhood cancer. Generously supported by dozens of team sponsors, media partners and friends; close to two hundred golfers made the event one of the teams’ best ever. Designated as pediatric cancer awareness month, September had Chivas USA and PADRES connecting with Major League Soccer’s league-wide “Soccer Kicks Cancer” initiative. Activities surrounding this effort included hosting nearly two-hundred PADRES children and families at a Chivas USA HEART Soccer Camp that had little ones learning soccer and taking part in arts and crafts activities. Later on that evening and prior to the start of the Chivas USA game, PADRES representatives educated fans on the services they provide to families with children diagnosed with cancer as well as the need for bone marrow donors.