Philadelphia Union announced today that the club will host a 50/50 Raffle at all home games, with proceeds to support the Philadelphia Union Foundation (PUF). The Union is the first club in Major League Soccer to adopt the 50/50 fundraiser. A newly enacted statute amended the Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, creating broad exceptions for major league sports drawings.
“Getting this program to be approved by the State’s legislature was a great example of how the leadership of each professional team worked collaboratively together for a great cause,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “We are very excited to be joining our fellow Philly teams rolling out 50/50 raffles that will raise precious funds for the Philadelphia Union Foundation.”
Used by teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, the 50/50 Raffle is a fundraising contest that allows the money used to purchase raffle tickets to be evenly split between a randomly-selected winner and the participating organization. Fans at PPL Park can purchase raffle tickets from kiosks located at three stadium gates as well as Toyota Plaza or through several handheld devices carried by Union employees. The jackpot winner and the Philadelphia Union Foundation will split the earnings. Tickets will be sold for three for $5, 10 for $10 or 40 for $20.
The Philadelphia Union Foundation is a registered 501c3 in the vision of the Philadelphia Union. According to its mission statement, the Philadelphia Union Foundation “provides opportunities for children through the power of relationships to offer transformational change in the areas of education, community, health and recreation.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Philadelphia Union Foundation has teamed up with local and national organizations in various measures to benefit the City of Chester, including a playground construction, 8v8 small-sized field, local trash pickups, soccer clinics and other charity events. Additionally, the Foundation has raised over $50,000 in the past two years from the River Cup, an annual charity match at PPL Park between members of the Union’s supporter group, Sons of Ben, and the Union front office. Additionally, the PUF held their inaugural “Cocktails and Cleats” gala in March of this year, netting over $50,000 in funds raised to benefit its four Building Blocks: Life Skills Programming, Safe Fields, Good Health Through Proper Nutrition, and Playing Soccer while Having Fun.
To get in on the action and for more information, click here
