FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie-Jay Scott, ktj@iactivism.org, 310.738.0285
Download this Press Release PDF here
Palos Verdes, CA – March 30, 2014 – i-ACT, a Hermosa Beach-based grassroots organization, is hosting it’s third annual gala benefit event, ONE STRONG KICK, in support of Darfur United and its children’s Soccer Academy, the first comprehensive sports program for Darfuri refugee girls and boys in the camps along the Chad-Sudan border. ONE STRONG KICK will take place Saturday, April 19th at 6pm, at Cynthia and John Bartlett’s beautiful home in Palos Verdes Estates with a stunning view of Malaga Cove.
The evening includes unique cocktails by George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila, food by Villegas Tacos, and wine from Jaffurs Wine Cellars. Entertainment will include duet by Torrance-based Realtor David Veerman and his niece Crystal Kakebeen and evening sets by David Courtenay and Band.
Silent auction and raffle items will be open all evening, including gift certificates to Details, Amoloa, and Creme de la Crepe, a LA Galaxy signed soccer ball, field time at the LA Galaxy Soccer Center, one-of-a-kind canvas prints donated by Hermosa Beach entrepreneur Erin Condren, an overnight stay at Ojai Inn with wine tasting at Santa Barbara’s Jaffurs Wine Cellars, wines paired with local MIXT Studio reusable wine bags and more.
Sponsors for the evening include Casamigos Tequila, Vacationista Cynthia Bartlett of the Travel Store, and the David Veerman Real Estate Team.
Guests will have the opportunity to view a new film piece produced by VICE, the internationally known documentarist, and learn about the recently opened Soccer Academy in refugee camp Djabal. Special guests include DU Head Coach and Director of Coaching at Sand and Surf Soccer Club Mark Hodson and Rachael Rapinoe of Rapinoe Soccer Camps.
The last two years have raised over $27,000. These events made it possible for the Darfur United all-refugee men’s soccer team to participate in the 2012 Viva World Cup for nationless teams in Iraqi-Kurdistan and for i-ACT to open the first Darfur United Soccer Academy which now serves over 800 refugee girl and boys ages 6-13. This year’s event will help the men’s team travel to Sweden to compete in the 2014 ConIFA World Football Cup and open three more Academies in the refugees camps in eastern Chad.
Darfur United’s goal this year is $20,000. Tickets are available now for $35 http://darfurunited.com/strongkick/.
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Darfur United was started in 2011 by i-ACT and the Darfur refugees living in twelve refugee camps on the Chad-Sudan border. Through an all-refugee soccer team and a children and youth soccer academy, Darfur United is a movement to bring hope, inspiration, and joy to the displaced people of Darfur. i-ACT empowers individuals within communities, institutions, and governments to take personal responsibility to act on behalf of those affected by genocide, mass atrocities, and crimes against humanity. In 2012, i-ACT was given the “Peace and Sport NGO of the Year” by the Prince Albert II of Monaco, and in 2013 i-ACT Executive Director was a judge at the annual Peace and Sport awards. For more information: www.darfurunited.org