—by Patch Perryman

It’s been quite a season for all of us in the Timbers Army. The capos, drummers and trumpeters thank everyone who joined us in the North End, on the road, and across the globe.

But before the season ends, we have one more request of you (AKA #BYCAP).

You may take it for granted that you’ll be at the next match, singing and chanting yourself hoarse. You’re from the North End and you’re there to make some noise, right?

Photo by Jody Taylor

But what if you couldn’t?

What if the joyful soundtrack of the Timbers Army was off limits to you?

You wouldn’t be alone.

Since 1964, Camp Meadowood Springs in Pendleton, Oregon has helped over 3,000 kids and young adults aged 6 to 16 overcome their unique social and learning challenges. Every summer, they offer a variety of instructive activities intermixed with intensive hearing and speech therapy for their 60-plus campers with communication challenges.

Photo by Ray Terrill

Here’s how you can help: 

Instead of buying a pint, consider taking that spare change, that small bill, whatever you would consider to be the value of a “thank you beverage” and put that money into our pickle buckets, which you’ll see hanging off each nest along with one on the main stage.

We will turn that money into tuition breaks for those campers, because even though grants are essential to run Camp Meadowood Springs, the costs campers face are often the initial obstacle for them to overcome. Since the first BYCAP ask back in 2011, the Timbers Army has raised enough to pay outright for over a dozen campers—and we cannot be stopped from doing more.

Photo by Darren Lloyd

If you cannot be at the match on Sunday the 15th, you can donate via this link (select "TA BYCAP"). Every bit helps—no matter if it’s on the pitch, in the stands, or in our community. Thank you.

See you in the stands.

—The Timbers Army Capos, Drums and Trumpets Corps