Starting today, the Chicago Fire Soccer Club is asking fans to join them in making a difference in the Chicagoland community. As part of the Pepsi Refresh Project, the Fire will partner with Chicago Public Schools to sponsor the first ever health, wellness and education festival designed to motivate Chicago youths to stay in school by providing tools to maintain a healthy, happy and productive school year. The Fire will compete against MLS’ 15 other teams, vying for fan votes and an ultimate $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fulfill the club’s Pepsi Refresh initiative, which will effectively impact 10,000 Chicago Public School students. Launching today through Monday, September 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fans can cast their votes at http://www.mlssoccer.com/pepsirefresh.
“The Pepsi Refresh Project allows for our fans to make a positive impact on the Chicago community,” said Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride. “Fans are encouraged to support the Fire, and vote, as we strive to assist 10,000 Chicago Public School students through the Pepsi Refresh Project.”
Should the Chicago Fire be chosen as the 2010 Pepsi Refresh Project winner, 10,000 Chicago Public School students will receive school supply kits and all the key health screenings needed to keep them focused and motivated throughout the school year.
“The Pepsi Refresh Project is proud to provide the stage to showcase these inspiring team ideas from across the league,” said Jeff Dubiel, Vice President of Pepsi Sports. “Through this initiative, fans will have the opportunity to recognize their favorite team for something other than their on-field performance. By showing their support, they will be helping to make a difference in their local community -- everybody wins.”
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE CHICAGO FIRE
The Pepsi Refresh Project is a groundbreaking effort to foster innovation in social good that will award more than $20 million this year to fund great ideas that help impact the world. Throughout 2010, Pepsi will fund ideas that will move the world forward in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. The Pepsi Refresh Project, which launched Jan. 13, features significant social engagement around people and the power of ideas. People are encouraged to submit their ideas and to cast a vote for their favorite ideas at http://www.refresheverything.com
About Pepsi
Pepsi is a product of PepsiCo Beverages Americas (PBA). In addition to the Pepsi trademark, the PBA portfolio includes the Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist and Mug trademarks in the carbonated soft drink category. PBA is a division of PepsiCo, Inc., which offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 19 different product lines that each generates more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. Our main businesses - Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade - also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to our consumers in more than 200 countries. With annualized revenues of nearly $60 billion, PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide. In recognition of its continued sustainability efforts, PepsiCo was named for the third time to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and for the fourth time to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America) in 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.pepsico.com
ABOUT THE CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION
Through grants and contributions to non-profit organizations, the Chicago Fire Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life of the Chicagoland community, particularly its youth. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $1.4 million dollars in grants and contributions. With the generosity of the Fire organization and the surrounding Chicagoland community, the Chicago Fire Foundation looks forward to further opportunities to expand programming and outreach. The Chicago Fire Foundation raises funds through events such as the annual Season Kickoff Luncheon, the Commemorative Jersey Auction, and 50/50 Raffle. For more information about the Chicago Fire Foundation, visit //www.chicago-fire.com/community.
