The Fall Day of Portugal Committee will host a World Cup watch party to bring fans together to fundraise for a local cause. Proceeds from the watch party will go to the Maddox J. Almeida Foundation.
World Cup watch party to support families of children with cancer
The Fall Day of Portugal Committee will host a watch party on Wednesday, June 17, for the World Cup football match between Portugal and DR Congo. The Fall River event serves as a fundraiser for the Maddox J. Almeida Foundation.
The foundation will use all proceeds to support families of children with cancer. The watch party will take place at Our Lady of Light Band Hall. While kickoff is set for 1 p.m., doors will be open at 11 a.m.
The family of a four-year-old boy who died in 2020 from rhabdomyosarcoma established the Maddox J. Almeida Foundation. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in soft tissue.
“We chose the Maddox Foundation because it is a well-recognised non-profit organisation that helps local families who have children with cancer and we have worked with them before. It is a win-win situation, we help those in need, support a very worthy organization and cheer our favorite team on,” said John Gonçalves, speaking for the Fall Day of Portugal Committee.
However, last year’s Nations League Portugal vs. Spain’s watch party inspired this year’s event. Organisers put together the previous year’s watch party to celebrate the Fall River Day of Portugal.
Additionally, organisers this year will be partnering with Bank5 in hosting the watch party. The organisers approached Bank5 after discovering that they also wanted to do something about the community’s celebration.
Watch party illustrates sports ties to humanitarian causes
The World Cup watch party being hosted for a local cause shows how sports activities can contribute to humanitarian causes. Organisers also said that the event will highlight soccer’s long-standing ties to community causes.
“Soccer has always been very supportive of community causes and organisations, so this way people can come and enjoy the game knowing that they are also going to be helping members of their community that are enduring a very painful period in their lives,” said John Gonçalves.
Moreover, organisers also say that this event may lead to other World Cup watch parties. They also hope people all around the world replicate the watch party.
Tickets for the watch party will be $20 per person. Attendees can purchase tickets via Zeffy, which will automatically email them to the buyer.