First Team

D.C. United to Support LA's DeLaGarza Family & Ronald McDonald House

DeLaGarza

D.C. United will host one of its biggest home matches of the 2015 season on Saturday, March 28, when the reigning MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy come to town. While the Black-and-Red will be primed to give their all on the field, United is teaming up with the Galaxy and one of its players from the Washington-area, A.J. DeLaGarza, for a special donation drive in Lot 8 and other activities in honor of  the DeLaGarza family’s courageous off-the-field battle last season.


Last year, the Galaxy defender and former the University of Maryland player and his wife, Megan, both of whom hail from the Baltimore-Washington region, had a son, Luca, who was born with a congenital heart defect, or CHD, called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Luca passed away shortly after his birth. During the week that he lived, Ronald McDonald House provided a room for A.J., Megan, and her parents.


To honor Luca and support the Ronald McDonald House at Saturday’s match, the DeLaGarzas – who have created this PSA – and D.C. United are asking attendees coming to the match to bring household, kitchen and pantry items, gift cards and other items to help fill the needs of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. The list of potential items to donate can be found below.

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); line-height: 1.538em;">Household &amp; Kitchen Items</span><ul><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Laundry Detergent Pods</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Paper Towels (!!!)</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> White bath towels, hand towels and washcloths</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Ziploc Bags (all sizes)</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Copy Paper 8 &frac12; x 11</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Plastic Wrap + Foil</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Shower Curtain Liners (clear or white)</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Dishwasher Tablets</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Toilet Bowl Cleaner</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Keurig Coffee and Tea K-cups</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Dryer Sheets</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Stainless steel Spoons &amp; Forks</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Hand soap</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Individual Snack Foods</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Pillow Protectors</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Fresh Veggies &amp; Fruits</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Bleach</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Cereal</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Lysol Antibacterial Wipes</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Disposable Cutlery</span></li><li style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Febreeze</span></li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Disposable tupperware containers</li></ul><em>* Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rmhcdc.org"><span style="color:#ff0000;">www.rmhcdc.org</span></a> for complete Amazon Wish List!</em>
<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); line-height: 1.538em;">Big Ticket Items!!</span><ul><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Full Sheet Sets: white only please</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Twin Sheet Sets: brown only please</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Flat Screen TVs for bedrooms</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Pots &amp; Pans (new)</span></li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> New or gently used game systems</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Blue Ray/ DVD Players</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Patio Umbrellas</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> New/ gently used vacuum cleaners</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Slow Cooker (large size)</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Over-the-range Microwave (new)</li></ul><span style="color:#ff0000;">Gift Cards</span><ul><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Giant - Safeway - Harris Teeter</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Target - Walmart</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Office Depot - Staples</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Bed Bath &amp; Beyond</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Home Depot - Lowes</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Michaels - AC Moore</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> CVS - Walgreens</li><li style="font-size: 13px;"> Visa - Mastercard</li></ul>

In addition to the donation drive in Lot 8, Pura Vida bracelets will also be on sale, with proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association. There will be two types of bracelets on sale, a $20 option and a $15 option.


Please be a part of the celebration of Luca’s life and the inspiration for #LucaKnowsHeart.