Over 60 local soccer clubs and organizations came out to Highmark Stadium on Sunday to support the cause. | Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
PITTSBURGH – On Sunday at Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC hosted Peace on the Pitch, a fundraising event to support those who were affected by the tragic events that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in late October.
Hundreds of people representing more than 60 local soccer clubs and organizations came out for the event, which featured 7-on-7 friendly soccer matches on the club’s home turf and both 50/50 and charitable basket raffles.
“Riverhounds SC and Highmark Stadium would like to thank all of our sponsors and participants for coming together today to make this fundraiser possible," said Kevin Johnston, General Manager of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Highmark Stadium. "It is uplifting to see the Pittsburgh community come together and help others in a time of need."
The event raised over $20,000, which will be split between the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.
“The events of Oct. 27 were tragic, and the support since that the city has shown to the Jewish community and the Pittsburgh Bureau Police has been really special,” Pittsburgh Police Lieutenant Chad O’Brien said. “This event the Riverhounds are hosting is another example of that. The Pittsburgh Bureau Police is very appreciative of the hard work the Riverhounds staff has done to support these two foundations.”
@HoundsAcademy @houndsspeed We are #StrongerThanHate #peaceonthepitch pic.twitter.com/DD8spzxrAy
— Jill Patterson (@j3patterson) November 18, 2018
PR U10 Boys at #peaceonthepitch #pinerichlandsoccer @RiverhoundsSC #StrongerThanHate pic.twitter.com/7ttX7LJNE5
— Mike Kichi (@mike_kichi) November 18, 2018
#strongerthanhate @SteelArmy pic.twitter.com/WBN1ckGCR1
— Mon Goals (@mongoals) November 18, 2018
All proceeds from parking as well as t-shirt and food sales were donated thanks to event sponsors ABM Parking Services, Adidas, Allegra and Dunkin’ Donuts. USL and MLS franchises, including Reno 1868 FC, Toronto FC II and the LA Galaxy, also contributed to the cause by donating items to the charitable basket raffle, which was also supported by the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square and fellow Pittsburgh sports franchises, the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers.
“We are immensely grateful to the Pittsburgh community, as well as our sports teams, including Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC,” said Adam Hertzman, Director of Marketing at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “It has been extraordinary how everyone has come together to help and support the Pittsburgh Jewish community, and we are forever thankful.”
For information regarding donations, as well as the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety, please visit their respective websites at jewishpgh.org and pittsburghpa.gov/publicsafety.