United Awards Reception raises more than $30,000 for United for D.C.

Washington, D.C. -- Thursday night, at the Atlas Theater in Washington DC, United for D.C. hosted the Fifth Annual United Awards Reception, presented by Siemens Enterprise Communications and United Bank. More than 200 people attended the event, emceed by United's play-by-play commentator Dave Johnson. Proceeds, totaling more than $30,000, will go to benefit the D.C. United's 501(c)3 foundation. Supported by Arent Fox, Clark Construction, DLA Piper, Kearney O'Doherty and DC Magazine, the United Awards Reception also included a cocktail hour, a dessert reception and served as an opportunity for the club to honor United players for their on-field accomplishments as well as recognize the impact of United for D.C. in the community.

Honored at the event were D.C. United's 2008 award winners, while the ceremony included speakers, highlight videos and trophy presentations. Jaime Moreno (Most Valuable Player), Luciano Emilio (Budweiser Golden Boot), Clyde Simms (Defender of the Year), Devon McTavish (U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year), Marcelo Gallardo (Goal of the Year), and Santino Quaranta (Volkswagen Fans' Choice, Coaches Award) all took home honors for their play in 2008.

In its sixth year of existence, United for D.C. has established itself as one of the most creative and effective charitable foundations in Washington, D.C. Through three primary initiatives, the organization touches countless lives throughout the local community. United Soccer Club, an after-school program created at the request of underserved local residents and funded wholly by the foundation, provides an organized outlet for children to play soccer at seven different locations twice a week in the spring and the fall. The Kicks for Kids program enabled more than 9,000 underprivileged youth to watch United play in person this season alone. United Reads provides a reading incentive curriculum in six DC elementary schools and includes the distribution of free books during player visits to classrooms.

For more information about the Awards Reception, please contact United for D.C. Fundraising Coordinator Kate Larned at 202-587-5463 or email: klarned@dcunited.com.

United for D.C.

United For D.C., Inc. was founded on January 8, 2002 as the charitable arm of Major League Soccer's D.C. United. United For D.C. is a 501(c)3 organization chartered to serve the Washington, D.C. community through the creation or support of programs, events and organizations that advance educational and social welfare opportunities (primarily health and recreational) for the area's youth, particularly those who may be economically, physically or mentally disadvantaged.