SAN JOSE, Calif. – In celebration of Cesar Chavez Day, a coalition of five Californian professional soccer teams, including the San Jose Earthquakes, are joining forces today with the United Farm Workers Foundation to raise funds in support of farm workers in California.
The five clubs have created a $3,000 match grant challenge where all donations collected will be doubled up to the mentioned amount. All funds raised today will be allocated towards UFW Foundation’s COVID-19 relief and vaccination efforts to support the farm working community in appreciation for their arduous labor and year-round contributions. The Quakes Foundation, the charitable arm of the club, has created a GoFundMe account to raise funds and join the challenge. For more information or to donate, click here.
“It’s a privilege to bring together Californian soccer teams to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez and the amazing work of the UFW Foundation,” said Earthquakes director of community relations Rahul Devaskar. “This collaboration creates an amazing opportunity for us to come together and use our platforms to uplift the farm working communities that continue to keep all of us fed during these difficult times.”
According to recent studies, farm workers are not only more likely to be infected with COVID-19, but they are also more likely to die from it. In response to these findings, UFW Foundation began hosting vaccination events throughout California where thousands of farm workers have already received the COVID-19 vaccine since the first weeks of March.
Vaccinations are available to all farm workers 18 years or older at no charge. No health insurance or doctor’s note are required. Farm workers are encouraged to call the bilingual toll-free call centers of UFW Foundation (661) 501-4280 to see what vaccination events are near them. The UFW Foundation continues to work with different partners to make the vaccines accessible to more farm worker communities throughout California and other states.
About the UFW Foundation
The UFW Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, advocates for labor rights and protections for farm workers across the U.S. and provides educational outreach and critical services such as serving as the largest provider of immigration legal services to low-income rural California communities. During the pandemic, the UFW Foundation has distributed 800,000 face masks and more than $17 million to more than 33,000 immigrants and farm workers. The UFW Foundation is currently serving over 50,000 workers with food resources and coordinating vaccination events for farm workers. For more information, visit www.ufwfoundation.org.
About the Quakes Foundation
The Quakes Foundation is the San Jose Earthquakes’ charitable arm, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The foundation facilitates and supports programs that produce positive change for children and families in the community with an emphasis in health and fitness. The Quakes Foundation strives to cultivate the game of soccer within the diverse communities of the Bay Area and promote unity through sport. For more information, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/community.
