Members of the D.C. United U-19 Academy players were on hand at Miner Elementary School in Northeast D.C. for a special holiday gathering with DC SSCORES youth Thursday evening.
The Academy players helped distribute toys and gifts to the students and brought some good cheer to start the holidays.
“It was very rewarding for my teammates and I to be able to give back to the community that has given us so much,” U-19 Team Captain Michael Edwards said. “To come out here and see the smiles on the kid’s faces was so fulfilling.”
Approximately 50 youths from DC SCORES’ Miner Elementary School location teamed up with Academy players to decorate gingerbread men, snowflakes and snowmen.
“Miner Elementary has a lot of families that aren’t fortunate enough to have a good holiday,” said Michael Gee, DC SCORES’ coach at Miner Elementary. “So for D.C. Untied to come out and share this opportunity with our students is a privilege and we are very thankful to be a part of this event.”
Every child in attendance also received a surprise toy at the end of the event courtesy of donations from one of United’s supporters groups, the Screaming Eagles.
“The Screaming Eagles are proud to continue the Black-and-Red tradition of supporters serving the community,” said Dave Goodwin, President of the Screaming Eagles. “Our members are absolutely thrilled to see that the donations made at our Toys and Toddies party have created so many smiles and provided holiday cheer to the awesome kids participating in DC SCORES.”
DC SCORES, United’s official charitable partner, works to improve low-income children's physical fitness and confidence while building literacy, increasing school engagement and deepening their connection to their community. Currently, DC SCORES serves 2,500 underserved youth at 59 locations across the District.
For more information on D.C. United’s community programs and events, visit dcunited.com/community, or follow on Twitter at @DCU_CR.
