SD Loyal Raises $75K for Rady Children’s Hospital’s COVID-19 Response Challenge
Doing it Right is what Landon Donovan is all about. The famed former pro player turned head coach of San Diego’s professional soccer team, San Diego Loyal, epitomizes community-minded leadership. The USL team just raised funds to help the area’s local children’s hospital.
Today, San Diego Loyal SC proudly announced that, along with help of fans and the community, the team raised $75,000 for The Conrad Prebys Foundation COVID-19 Response Challenge.
The Conrad Foundation will match the proceeds raised, bringing the total to $150,000 in support of Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego’s COVID-19 efforts.
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is a 505-bed pediatric care facility providing the largest source of comprehensive pediatric medical services in San Diego, southern Riverside, and Imperial counties.
“We are proud to see the outpouring of support from our fans and the community who along with our team, stepped up during this unprecedented time to raise funds for Rady Children’s as they continue to be a leader on the forefront of childhood healthcare,” said Warren Smith, president of SD Loyal.
“The fact that we more than doubled our goal of $30,000 shows the true dedication of all parties involved to improving our community.”
Warren Smith, President of SD Loyal
Several challenge teams, each led by a San Diego Loyal captain, embarked on social media-fueled challenges—while staying safe at home—to raise money in lieu of the Dream Big Walk, which was put on hold by the COVID-19 outbreak. SD Loyal teams were:
- Team Landon Donovan
- Team Carrie Taylor (CT)
- Team Nate Miller
Read: WANT TO JOIN A SD LOYAL VIRTUAL TEAM AND RAISE $ TO FIGHT COVID-19?
Challenge winners were awarded prizes, including Landon Donovan game-worn cleats and unique training day and game-day experiences with the team.
Donations from the multi-week virtual fundraising effort will help fund the health system’s ability to create critically needed 3D-printed nasal swabs, protective face shields, and other in-demand materials, and bolster its investment in protecting frontline care providers, patients and families while fighting the effects of COVID-19.
“San Diego is such a special community,” said Stephen Jennings, senior vice president and executive director of the Hospital’s foundation. “Our community’s generosity is especially touching given all that each of us is managing during the pandemic. I want to extend my thanks to Warren and the entire Loyal family for its commitment to supporting childhood health.”
Fun Facts About San Diego Loyal
Launched on June 19, 2019, San Diego Loyal is the newest member of USL Championship, a USSF-sanctioned Division II league, and one of the most competitive pro soccer leagues in the world. The Club will play at Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego. San Diego Loyal is built on four core pillars – independent, authentic, inclusive, and optimistic. San Diego Loyal plays for America’s Finest City and is led by some of the best in sport.
The Club is led by Chairman Andrew Vassiliadis, who is the youngest principal owner in USL Championship.
It was founded and led on the business-side by experienced soccer executive Warren Smith, a co-founder and former president of Sacramento Republic FC. Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Landon Donovan, one of the most decorated soccer players in the U.S., leads the technical side as both EVP and First Team Manager.
Source: Release
