Ever wished to get your hands on 'Caps history, and make a difference in the community?
Look no further as you have the opportunity to own a Alphonso Davies' jersey off his back, YP Lee's game-worn cleats from his last season of play, a Jake Nerwinski signed MLS unites patch jersey and much more.
Whitecaps FC community partner Hope and Health are launching an auction to raise money towards their community programming beginning Tuesday, August 18 on whitecapsfc.com/auction.
“We have a pair of signed Y.P Lee’s cleats that he wore in his last season before retirement. We’ve got Ali Adnan’s jersey with ‘Freedom’ written in Arabic,” Hope and Health executive director Deana Gill-Georgica says. “The fundraiser will go towards our new virtual program along with expanding our in community offerings where we have permission to do so across Indigenous communities in British Columbia.
"With suspending in community programming due to COVID-19, we quickly shifted our Hope and Health at Home “H3” program online to a virtual space, and it was exceedingly successful,” says Gill-Georgica. “We’re building on the lessons learned and expanding across the province to reach other isolated, remote Indigenous communities who will benefit from the support and inspiration!”
“It exceeded our expectations in terms of the level of engagement and the real life impacts of bolstering mental and physical health and well-being,” Gill-Georgica says. “The feedback from the participants and parents was that Hope and Health at Home Online (H3O) offered the children and the youth something to look forward to, to feel connected and special during a really challenging time of isolation and loss.”
"My son loves to kick around the ball again, he struggled for awhile because of COVID-19, now he has the ball at his feet more often than he used to. It is such a great feeling again," said one parent.
"Watching the growth of not only my children but other children in the program has been amazing. We can't thank you all enough for your continued support, you are absolutely changing lives," said another parent.
Even with the obstacles due to the pandemic, the organization has managed to expand its reach, with recently bringing H3 community programming into the Malahat and Snaw-Naw-As Nations, with COVID safety protocol and practices in place.
The organization has brought diverse groups together in this online space, and with Whitecaps FC players, both current and former, engaging with the youth, participation continues to remain high.
“Jordan Harvey, Marcel De Jong, Maxime Crepeau, Jake Nerwinski and even Spike have come in and offered mentorship sessions to the children and youth,” she continues. “They share stories and ideas around respect, goal setting, problem-solving and they share their wisdom, and that’s been very well received.” Spike shakes his tail and gives us “two wings up” which is a huge hit with the kids in all of us!
There’s also non-soccer related items for those interested in more, including a signed Elias Pettersson Vancouver Canucks jersey, a Helijet roundtrip for two and other premiere items and experiences- all gifted by Hope and Health partners and friends!
Moreover, there are special items that have been contributed by parents, relatives and community members from the Indigenous communities who partake in Hope and Health initiatives.
“There are some really beautiful gifts from the Indigenous communities that participate in the Hope and Health Initiatives. There are handmade items in there that you will not find in any store and they have such meaning because they have been made or gifted by a Hope and Health participant's relative/community member,” Gill-Georgica says. "We hold our hands up in appreciation for the gifts received in support of Hope and Health and the beautiful Indigenous children and youth at the center.”
This auction experience reflects the teaching of “Naut’sa Mawt” which in Coast Salish means moving together with one heart, one mind. Also featured are two uniquely crested Whitecaps “Naut’sa Mawt” jerseys.
For a complete list, visit whitecapsfc.com/auction. The auction runs through August 23.
