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Birmingham Legion FC

Legion FC Announces Fundraiser to Support NorthStar Soccer Ministries

November 2, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham Legion FC announced today the launch of a fundraiser in support of our friends at NorthStar Soccer Ministries, as they coach and mentor Birmingham kids via the game of soccer. This initiative aims to provide students with the right supplies to help them within the classroom and on the field.

NorthStar's mission since its inception in 1996 has been to promote opportunities for investment in the lives of urban youth in Birmingham by providing a high-quality Soccer Cub within a holistic, Christian environment. The ministry provides after school soccer practices at schools and evening practices in high poverty neighborhoods with a goal to make the program accessible to all.

According to program director Paul Neville, "We strive to provide a program with the quality to attract and keep players from a wide range of backgrounds. We seek to model and cultivate the NorthStar values - Responsible / Resilient / Reverent - in all our players. Soccer is our tool. Success in life is our goal."

The GoFundMe page can be found here and the stated goal is to raise $3,000. There are 250-300 elementary to high school aged students in the program, and funds raised will provide student-athletes with shirts, shorts, and shin guards to practice in, various school supplies to use at home and at school and will help with field rentals and team gear during the spring and fall seasons.

Special edition t-shirts designed by Legion FC defender Ryan James are available for purchase as well, with all proceeds from the 'When I Was Little' shirts going directly to NorthStar. The preorder window for the shirts and the fundraiser will both end on Friday, November 18.

"The idea behind "When I was Little..." is to encourage the youth to set goals, guide their focus and help them sustain a good momentum in life," said James. "We want to be able to help demonstrate good and healthy habits for kids. We believe these consistent habits can help create significant opportunities for these kids."

In addition to asking for donations, Legion FC is encouraging fans that have lightly worn soccer cleats, shin guards and other soccer gear at home that your kids have grown out of, that could be worn by elementary to high school aged athletes, to bring them by the Legion FC Front Office (2213 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233) for us to collect for NorthStar.

"With the donations raised by the GoFundMe and 'When I was Little...' shirts, Birmingham Legion, Voyce Now and the USL Black Players Alliance collectively will be able to help young soccer stars improve as soccer players and encourage them to grow into an all-around better person within this world," said James.

NorthStar is holding a celebration dinner on Thursday, November 17 at Shades Valley Community Church at 6:00pm. Anyone interested in attending to support the program can email Director Neville at paul@northstarsoccerministries.org.

More information about Birmingham Legion FC can be found at bhmlegion.com, more information about the Voyce Now Foundation can be found at voycenowfoundation.org, and more information about the United Soccer League's Black Players Alliance can be found by following @uslbpa on Instagram.

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