After a successful 2023 drive, FC Cincinnati Foundation has partnered with First Financial Bank, Scripps Howard Fund, and WCPO 9 to bring back the month-long soccer Cleat Drive for 2024. The drive aims to outfit Cincinnati area youth with new or gently used soccer cleats for the upcoming fall soccer season.
Starting May 6 and running through May 24, fans are encouraged to donate cleats of all sizes by bringing them to their nearest First Financial Bank location to distribute to area youngsters by FC Cincinnati Foundation. Fans can also give monetary donations through the Donate Now webpage at FC Cincinnati's community website, which can be found here.
“At First Financial, we know the value of making an investment early in life to achieve amazing results later on,” said Mandy Neeley, chief consumer banking and strategy officer for First Financial Bank. “That’s why we’re eager to team up with FC Cincinnati Foundation and our neighbors in the community to give young athletes solid footing to grow through the game of soccer.”
“FC Cincinnati Foundation is focused on providing more children in our region with safe access to soccer,” said Kate Solomon, SVP Youth and Community Engagement and Executive Director, FCC Foundation. “Our Cleat Drive will remove one more barrier for hundreds of kids, providing much-needed equipment to help them play safely.”
To find your nearest First Financial Bank branch where you can donate to the cleat drive, click here.
FC Cincinnati Foundation is also partnering with WCPO 9 to cap off the month-long push for soccer footwear, culminating in a telethon that will air live on May 23 from 4 pm to 7:30 pm. Fans and community members can call in and make a pledge to the FC Cincinnati Foundation, with all money raised going towards providing children in the greater Cincinnati area with cleats and the necessary soccer equipment to play the beautiful game safely. Two FC Cincinnati players will also be at the telethon, answering calls and taking pledges, allowing fans the opportunity to call in and speak directly to a member of The Orange and Blue. The call-in number is **513-840-WCPO**. There is also a text-to-give option by texting CLEATS to 50155 to donate.
The Cleat Drive provides another opportunity for FC Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati Foundation and its community partners to further its effort to outfit and support the over 5,000 children reached through the organization's local soccer programming.
About FC Cincinnati Foundation
FCCF was launched in December 2018 to support transformational change for Cincinnati-area children and impact positive differences in children in underserved communities.
FCCF offers programming to support character development and physical well-being through soccer, the importance of education, and an additional focus on community service. FC Cincinnati Foundation will reach over 30,000 children this year.
For more information, visit FCCincinnati.com/Community.
FC Cincinnati is committed to leaving a legacy, creating something bigger than ourselves, and being the embodiment of a rising Cincinnati. Through our own programs and initiatives and the support of key partners, we will improve the lives of children through soccer and will continue to do our part to create an inclusive community.
