The Lonestar Soccer Club, for the fifth year, is again raising funds for children who cannot afford to play youth soccer. For 2011 we are partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Austin and The East Austin Soccer Club. The purpose of the 24 Hour Soccer Marathon is to raise funds for the Champions Foundation, the Boys and Girls club of Austin and the East Austin Soccer Club, while also educating our players on the importance of investing in the community and giving to charity. The benefits and positive effects of playing youth sports, at any level, and leading an active and healthy lifestyle, have never been more evident than in today’s society.

Since 1967, Boys & Girls Clubs of Austin has been helping kids from tough neighborhoods stay out of trouble, stay in school and succeed in life. More than a safe haven for kids “at risk,” the Clubs are daily examples of how good life can be as they nurture, inspire and celebrate the limitless potential of our young people. Through the Clubs, kids are given the tools and opportunities to have hope for a brighter future. 57% of Club alumni surveyed nationally say the Club “saved my life.” Locally, seniors from AISD high school clubs graduated at an average of 98% as opposed to their schools average of 63%. Supporting the Club is not charity, rather an investment in our community’s most precious natural resource – our kids. For more information, visit www.bgcaustin.org.

The East Austin Soccer Club is a nonprofit organization established for the youth in our community in our under-served East Austin Area. Their sources of income are limited to player registration, fund-raising activities and sponsorships. Their expenses are all soccer related such as uniforms, officiating fees, field equipment/maintenance and coaching. EASC wants to provide the East Austin youth community the opportunity to participate in youth soccer at all levels of play, including the highest competitive levels of soccer. The EASC coaches are volunteers that dedicate their time to providing their knowledge and skills of soccer to the youth/players. This allows the players to channel their abilities during practices, while developing core values, ethics and principles. For more information, visit www.eastaustinsoccer.com.

The Lonestar Champions Foundation was created with the idea that every child who desires to become a champion has the opportunity for success, not only on the field, but in life as well. Research has proven time and time again that children who participate in team sports have lower drop-out rates, lower incidence of substance abuse, higher marks in the classroom, and higher levels of character development and self esteem than their peers who do not engage in team sports. The impact of participating in athletics is obvious and important in shaping the youth of our community.

Lonestar Soccer Club will play soccer continuously for 24 hours, with each LSC team participating in a time slot during this 24-hour period beginning on November 18th at 5:00 pm and ending on November 19th at 5:00 pm. Our marathon will take place at Soccer Zone (North), 1220 Toro Grande Blvd., Cedar Park, TX, 78613.

Each year LSC awards over $140,000 from the LSC Champions Foundation to as many as 300 families so that they are able to participate in youth soccer. None of this is possible without our sponsors and donors. Thank you for your support.

Lonestar Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, Tax ID #20-1201450 All donations are tax deductable.