Phase One of the AC Portland project kicked off Friday morning with a breakfast ceremony at the St. Johns Pub and a brief excursion to James John Elementary School, where the first Advantage Centers site will begin taking shape this weekend.
Work parties will be held at the North Portland school over the next three Saturdays, with volunteers from the Timbers Army and Operation Pitch Invasion helping to put a small, artificial turf soccer field in the midst of the expansion blacktop now in place at James John.
The field will become the hub of the AC Portland program at the school, which includes fundamental soccer, literacy instruction, mentoring, coaching and nutritional information.
Friday’s breakfast concluded a first-wave fund-raising campaign that should enable AC Portland centers to open in at least six Portland-area schools stretching from St. Johns to Beaverton.
Friday’s breakfast concluded a first-wave fund-raising campaign that should enable AC Portland centers to open in at least six Portland-area schools stretching from St. Johns to Beaverton.
As a founding partner, the Timbers Army has pledged to contribute at least 1,000 volunteer hours to the ACs; other founding partners include Adidas, the Portland Timbers, the Oregon Sports Authority and the United States Soccer Federation.
About 15 TA volunteers spent late Thursday and early Friday converting the pub and the playground into a temporary Timbers Wonderland.
107ist President Dave Hoyt and capo and TA pioneer Shawn Levy were among the speakers at the event, while Timbers play-by-play man John Strong served as master of ceremonies.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams pledged a civic contribution of $10,000 to program, while Bill Heuffner, director of development and professional relations for Jeld-Wen, issued a challenge pledge that could raise up to $18,647 in a single night.
L-R: Patrik Nilsson - adidas; Mike Golub - Portland Timbers, Kevin Palau - Season Of Service, Joanne Couchman - 107ist/Timbers Army
Across the street, golden pick axes were distributed to a select group of VIPs that included 107ist Board member and James John neighbor Joanne Couchman.
A fresh supply of soccer balls was distributed, courtesy of Adidas, and quickly found a collection of young soccer players who picked up a few tips on the fine art of digging deep from ex-Timber midfielder Tony McManus.
To volunteer for one of the three Saturday morning construction parties, contact Board Secretary Roger Anthony. More info on the work parties can be found here.
(All photos taken by Scott Hartley)
