Community

Republic FC Rockstar Week 1: Dr. David Baker

Throughout August, Republic FC and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain are recognizing the contributions and supports of community members during the pandemic and beyond. Every week a new Republic FC Rockstar will be selected from the fan and community nominations. The Indomitable Club and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento are calling on fans to nominate a Rockstar – frontline or essential worker who made an impact during the last 18 months, a veteran or active-duty member of the Armed Forces, a dedicated teacher or passionate volunteer, or one of the countless stories of service, support and indomitable spirit of the region – and share a story of a community champion. A Rockstar will be selected weekly and honored, with a grand prize including a hosted stay at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento and a VIP experience at a Republic FC match.

Sacramento Children’s Home Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Baker is the first Republic FC Rockstar for his service to the Sacramento Region. He received nominations due to the extensive work he did to ensure that no programs at Sacramento’s oldest residential home for the region’s most vulnerable children and families were paused or terminated due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dr. Baker worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of staff and children, while ramping up care in the Crisis Nursery for children ages 0-5, continuing essential home visits, and virtual counseling sessions for families in need.

With the guidance of Dr. Baker, the Sacramento Children’s Home also added a statewide urgent response line that foster care children could text or call for help and adds to the various ways the hospital is helping children in need in our communities.

“Coming to work is exciting because I know that I am going to have a chance to work with staff that are making huge impacts on kids and families lives,” Dr. Baker says.

Since the 1860s, the Sacramento Children’s Home has been a staple in the Sacramento community, helping vulnerable children and families with high-quality care. The home provides crisis support for families, short-term residential care to foster youth who have suffered trauma, and mental health treatment for the region’s most at-risk children and families.

“I think I would say that this is the representation of the hard work of the 275 plus employees and the commitment that they have always had to this community,” Dr. Baker says, “During the time of the pandemic and to see folks come in every day and making sure the needs of children and families in this community are met despite the hurdles COVID has thrown in front of us is inspiring.”

The Sacramento Children’s Home has provided services to over 7,000 children and 4,300 families each year. For more information or to donate go to the Sacramento Children’s Home, visit kidshome.org.

Nominate a Rockstar in our community now at https://www.sacrepublicfc.com/hardrock.

Republic FC Teams Up with Raley’s, BODYARMOR to Raise Funds for Special Olympics Northern California

For the second season in a row, Republic FC has partnered with BODYARMOR, Raley’s, and Special Olympics Northern California for a campaign that will encourage athlete health, while raising funds and awareness for local programs.

With every purchase of BODYARMOR Sports Drink, LYTE, and Sportwater at Raley’s, Bel Air, and Nob Hill Foods in July and August, BODYARMOR will donate 10 cents to Special Olympics Northern California.

Alongside the campaign, Republic FC and Raley’s have teamed up for an online sweepstakes that awards one weekly winner a prize of BODYARMOR products and a $100 Raley’s gift card. The contest, which begins August 2nd, will run through the end of the month.

One winner will be selected each week beginning August 9, with the final winner announced on August 31 for a total of four winners selected.

For more information about Special Olympics Northern California, BODYARMOR, rules, and how to enter, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/drinkbodyarmor.

One winner will be selected each week beginning August 9, with the final winner announced on August 31 for a total of four winners selected.

For more information about Special Olympics Northern California, BODYARMOR, rules, and how to enter, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/drinkbodyarmor.

SRFC Players Participating in Playing for Pride

2021 will mark the fourth straight season the boys in Old Glory Red are utilizing the team’s platform to support the LGBTQ+ community through Playing for Pride. The nationwide fundraiser every June is organized by Athlete Ally, features pledges from professional athletes and coaches across the highest levels of American soccer. The nonprofit raises funds to level the playing field for the LGBTQ+ community with a mission focused on making sports inclusive for all.

The fundraiser was founded in 2017 by Austin de Luz – a former MLS and USL player – who created the movement in response to his state’s discriminatory anti-LGBTQ legislation. Last year, the accomplished midfielder joined Connor Sutton on The Breakaway: A Republic FC Podcast to discuss the campaign he created and its growing impact.

This year, the Indomitable Club’s Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Cameron Iwasa and Duke Lacroix are all participating in Playing for Pride. Aligned with the club’s quest to highlight heart health, this year’s contributions will be connected to the miles they log in training and games. And through the month of June, the donations will be supplemented with a $10 game appearance bonus, $20 assist bonus, and $30 goal bonus.

Fans can also support Playing for Pride by purchasing one of the unique and one-of-a-kind Diverse Voices in Spot – Pride edition t-shirt that was designed by Megan Reyes who partnered with the organization for this year’s campaign.

Athlete Ally has pledged to donate 50% of proceeds, up to $5,000, to the Black Women Player’s Collective, and proceeds to Athlete Ally will support the work to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion to all levels of sport through education, policy and athlete activism.

In past years, Republic FC fans and staff have matched donations and contributed to the cause. Josh Cohen, Sam Werner and Dekel Keinan each supported the cause in seasons past by wearing custom boots and making donations that matched their on-field performance.

Pride Scholarship Returns for Third Season: College-bound Students Eligible for $1,000 Prize

Sacramento Republic FC and the Sacramento LGBT Center are partnering for the third time to highlight a college-bound student. Through the partnership, a regional student who serves as an LGBTQ+ activist, will receive $1,000 prize to help them in their first-year collegiate studies this fall.

Candidates must be an incoming college freshman, beginning studies this fall, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Applicants should exhibit leadership skills in the LGBT+ community, as well as a passion for academic growth.

All interested candidates should reach out to Assistant Director of Youth Programs – Jesse Archer – at jesse.archer@saccenter.org before the June 18 deadline. Candidates need to email Jesse a one page or less letter on why they believe they should be the recipients of the scholarship. This year’s winner will be announced during the June 26 match at Heart Health Park against Phoenix Rising FC.

Last year’s winner was Mercedes Torres who in 2020 was the President of the Gender and Sexuality Acceptance Club. Last fall, Mercedes was a freshman at the University of Pacific where she kicked off her college career studying Psychology. When Mercedes applied for last year’s scholarship, she noted, “I want to be able to empathize, better understand, and I think studying Psychology will help me do just that.”

Sacramento County Public Health & Republic FC Partner to Promote Community Health and Provide Vaccine Access at Games, Regional Pop-ups

Sacramento, Calif. – Republic FC and health leaders at the office of Sacramento County Public Health are collaborating to increase COVID-19 vaccine access and participation and support the region as it prepares to reopen beginning on June 15, including future Republic FC matches at Heart Health Park. Through a partnership with Urgent Care Now and Equivax, Heart Health Park will serve as a pop-up vaccine clinic for the next three Republic FC home matches, beginning this Saturday, May 29.

Reservations for 500 vaccine appointments will launch on Tuesday for Season Ticket Members who have already selected tickets, and Wednesday for the general public on Republic FC’s social channels. Vaccine participants will receive one free ticket to the match.

With the support of state and county health officials, Heart Health Park capacity will be increased for each match, safely restoring a vibrant match day experience. The second dose of the vaccine will be administered at the club’s June 26thmatch when Heart Health Park will open to full capacity for the first time since March 2020.

In line with county health guidance and last Friday’s Beyond the Blueprint memo from the California Department of Public Health, Republic FC continues to prepare to open Heart Health Park to its full capacity safely. In the coming weeks, the club will announce upcoming opportunities for fans to select tickets for matches in June and beyond.

“We are excited to be working with Republic FC on bringing increased attention to vaccines as well as offering the convenience of vaccines at the park,” said Sacramento County Public Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye. “It is these kinds of innovative and collaborative ideas that will help us get our community vaccinated, reach herd immunity and ultimately keep our community safer.”

“As communities around the state prepare to take steps to re-open businesses and events, this partnership will help continue to keep health and wellness a priority through our region,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “The pop-up vaccine services at games and additional outreach efforts in underserved communities will assist in the continued recovery of our community.”

“As local medical providers delivering high quality medicine for many years, we are extremely proud to have administered over 100,000 vaccines to Sacramento residents,” said Urgent Care Now Medical Director Dr. Rusty Ohshita. “By partnering with the County Public Health Department, Sacramento Republic FC, Urgent Care Now and Equivax are able to reach further into our communities especially those at greatest risk and most impacted. We are honored to help vaccinate and protect even more residents of our region with these exciting events.”

Beyond gamedays, Republic FC and county health officials are working to drive COVID-19 education efforts and dispel myths, simplify the vaccination process in neighborhoods, and highlight health issues that are disproportionately affecting communities of color. In the coming weeks, the club and county will launch pop-up vaccine clinics, soccer camps and player-led community discussions in neighborhoods with low-vaccination rates.

Duke Lacroix Begins Natomas School Visits to Bring Soccer to Kids

Sacramento Republic FC and defender Duke Lacroix have teamed up with Natomas Unified School District and the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center to bring soccer to after school programs across the district.

“Just to introduce them to the sport that I love, I really relish those opportunities and enjoy them,” said Duke. “To show them how it can serve as a vehicle to find a passion that they can get involved in, where they can enjoy, and if it’s soccer, then it’s soccer.”

On Wednesday, Duke visited with students at American Lakes School, telling them about his experience growing up and playing soccer and how it helped him with his education as well, having played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania. After answering questions from students, Duke and youth coach Ben Kamm led the students through some simple drills and skills before hitting the pitch with the students for small sided games.

“It’s one thing to be a part of a club that says they do these types of things, it’s another thing to be involved with the club that does these things. And this is a club of doers, “ said Duke. “I’m just glad to be a part of it, and I’m really looking forward to the other schools, the other kids that we can hopefully influence and be connected with, because at the end of the day, it’s about community. We have a community who supports us and we hope to support the community as well.”

Duke will visit several other schools throughout the summer in Natomas that have after school programs that are operated by The Center. The programs, serving students grades K-12, provides a place where they can participate in extracurricular activities that strengthen their relationship building skills, enhance their communication, and allow them to be critical thinkers.

“The mission of our expanded learning programs is to provide innovative, youth-driven, high quality out-of-school-time opportunities that include building school-community partnerships, engaging families to participate in their children’s learning, and learning through project-based enrichment that complements the school day,” said Gionovan Bean, The Center’s Expanded Learning Program Coordinator.

Lincoln FC To Host Community Soccer Event

Republic FC Youth Club Partner Lincoln Soccer FC will be hosting a free Community Event on Friday, May 21st from 6:30 pm-8 pm. This event is a fun, family day for the Lincoln soccer community to come out and enjoy some soccer activities with Republic FC camps and clinics coaches, food trucks, and giveaways.

Families are invited to this free community event which will be held at Foskett Regional Park located at 1911 Finney Way, Lincoln CA 95648.

Recently, the Indomitable Club expanded its family with a partnership with Lincoln FC after launching its Youth Club Partner program earlier this year as an opportunity to give local clubs a boost in working with their players and helping grow the game club by club. Lincoln FC is Republic FC’s inaugural Youth Club Partner. Learn more about how your club can become a Youth Club Partner here.

Community Collectibles Series Launches With Limited Edition Sargis T-Shirt

Community is at the core of Republic FC’s mission, and throughout this season fans can grab some limited-edition gear and help grow the reach of Republic FC’s community investment foundation. It all starts this Wednesday, when the boys in Old Glory Red host Las Vegas Lights FC for the first home match of 2021 at Heart Health Park.

Fans and supporters can snag the limited-edition, Hayden Sargis t-shirt, exclusively at Heart Health Park on matchday. Local artist Kaly Stormer – a member of the Artist Spotlight collective working with Republic FC – has created the first three designs in the series.

Stormer’s striking digital illustration of the finalist for 2020 Young Player of the Year kicks off the series that will further the club’s work to build futsal courts, promote community health and wellness, and other projects that connected to the foundation’s mission.

Head to the community kiosk at Heart Health Park, located near the guest services tent to grab one before they are gone. Each shirt is $35 – only contactless payments accepted, benefiting the Republic FC Foundation and Albie Aware – selected by Hayden. The shirt is available in adult sizes, small to extra-large – and will sell out! Each shirt with come with goodie grab bag that includes a water bottle and other surprises.

The series will continue with limited-edition shirts featuring additional players including Cameron Iwasa and Jordan McCrary. Each players’ shirt will be unveiled at different home games this season.

Republic FC Players Learn Heart Health and Hands-Only CPR Training

Several Republic FC players and members of the staff visited Metro Fire Headquarters on Wednesday to learn about the hands-only CPR technique, including how this type of CPR can save a life in the case of a cardiac arrest.

The players – Cameron Iwasa, Shannon Gomez, Kharlton Belmar, Fatai Alashe, Hayden Sargis, Dan Casey, Jordan McCrary, Rafael Diaz, and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu – as well as three SRFC camps and clinics coaches listened as members of Metro Fire presented on the importance of heart health and the facts and figures surrounding this important health topic. The group also learned how to use an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, if one is available.

“I learned a few of the signs of how to recognize when someone is having a cardiac arrest and what techniques to do while an EMT is being dispatched,” said Jordan. “Calling 911 is very important – but providing hands only CPR while they are on their way can almost triple their survival rate.”

According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Survival of cardiac arrest depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby, and if done so, it can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and can be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.

Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.

Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and can be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.

Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.

Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

“Hands-Only CPR is a lifesaving technique that any person can learn – it was amazing to have players from Republic FC come and engage with us to learn, and to celebrate their new stadium name of Heart Health Park,” said Sacramento Metro Fire Department Public Information Officer and Captain Chris Vestal. “Healthy hearts are more than nutrition and fitness, and knowing how to respond immediately in the event of a cardiac issue is crucial.”

Support Local During Black History Month: Feed Sacramento Homeless

During the month of August of 2020, Republic FC and Suncrest Bank teamed up to help small businesses suffering from the effects of the pandemic. The program, Republic FC Kickstart, focused on giving $10,000 in grants to Black-owned businesses that had been heavily impacted by coronavirus.

Feed Sacramento Homeless is the selfless local organization that has dedicated itself to bringing a stop to the homeless not being able to enjoy a good meal. “Stopping hunger around the way” is the motto at Feed Sacramento Homeless. The organization believes passionately that all walks of life are worthy of a meal – regardless of if you have a home or not.

Established in November 2013 by Ms. Bobbie Wooten, the organization was initially established to have a community event for Thanksgiving to help the less fortunate by preparing and serving a hot meal. That single event was so successful and positive – as over 150 people were fed by over 20 volunteers – that she decided she would continue the selfless service on a monthly basis.

Since Thanksgiving 2013, Feed Sacramento Homeless has successfully and consistently served the community on a monthly basis and has served over 2,000 people since its inception.

“It’s also about treating people with respect and dignity, letting people live with a sense of pride,” Cofounder of the Facial Harmony Project Bobbie Wooten-Ballard said of Feed Sacramento Homeless in an October 2020 interview with Comstock’s Magazine. “It’s allowing the unhoused to know that we see them for more than their current living situation.”

In 2014, the organization was officially declared a non0profit organization and expanded operations beyond food service including clothes, toys for children, and hygiene products. All materials have been donated from people and business throughout Sacramento.

Because of the dedication, compassion and generosity of public supporters, volunteers, and boards members, Feed Sacramento Homeless has continued to grow every month while staying true to bringing hope and meals to those who need it most.

To find out more about Feed Sacramento Homeless including how individuals can get involved can do so by visiting the organizations website. Supporters can also donate to the cause at here.

Don't miss a minute of the action this season and secure your priority for Major League Soccer. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.

To find out more about Feed Sacramento Homeless including how individuals can get involved can do so by visiting the organizations website. Supporters can also donate to the cause at here.

Don’t miss a minute of the action this season and secure your priority for Major League Soccer. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.

Community

Subscribe to our newsletter

INDOMITABLE PARTNERS