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two ways to grow grassroots spread seed in manhattan

So if there was any debate it is now officially over. I’m old. While I was thrilled to see the large turnout and overwhelming success of Grassroots Soccer’s charity event at the popular nightclub Marquee last Thursday, there was no question which part of the week I was going to enjoy more. A couple hundred kids running around on a soccer field on a brisk fall morning is hard to compete with. That, not a packed sweaty nightclub, is my fountain of youth.

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unfortunately for my claustrophobic personality it did not stay this mellow

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The last time I went to a soccer benefit, it was the MLS Gala to support FC Harlem. That was jazz to Thursday night’s rock concert. I’m a jazz kind of guy yet clearly the outlier. This scene after all is what I should be all about. But I did what I always do in these type of oh-my-god-its-so-hot-and-loud-and-packed-and-perfumed moments: hang out with the people that I came with or know and go home as soon as I won’t look like an idiot for doing so.

I’m not old, but maybe my soul is. I would have been psyched had they rented out Joe’s Pub or Zebulon–both of which I think speak to the cause of the organization more than Marquee (especially considering both venues book great African music)–but whatever, GRS did a bumper business. The unusually large number of dark-suited (and clearly non-soccer) men and their dates looked to be enjoying themselves. The soccer players–the usual gang of Red Bulls and Lalases–mingled with the suits, ladies, press, and ticket holders.

taking grassroots literally

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I knew I wouldn’t last long but was glad I went when I saw a print of one of my all-time favorite photographs in the silent auction. As a HIV/AIDS prevention organization, GRS is doing great work, which nothing proves more than the fact that they won a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant, a gold medal in the NGO fundraising world. I’m no Microsoft but I’ve always wanted that photograph. It seemed like fate. I couldn’t help but put down a bid.

Winning the silent auction put a smile on my face Friday but not to compete with Saturday morning. Wearing a jacket for the first time this season was icing on the cake to the pleasant surprise that greeted me as I walked into FC Harlem’s home field. Several hundred kids came out to play some games and learn about HIV and Africa. I was expecting a smaller number especially with sprinkles of rain and cloudy skies, but FC Harlem has grown some 33 percent in the last year according to one coach and this was just another Saturday for them. The smile didn’t leave my face for over two hours. How could it? Now this was more my style…

a little education before the fun from GRS co-founder Ethan Zohn. Zohn with the help of FCH’s Irv Smalls and his staff prove soccer can draw in kids and open them up to listening and education.

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FC Harlem recently started a girls’ program…

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and they can run with the boys

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best game of the day–I think the parents had as much fun as the kids

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cage match

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Brazil is to soccer as Yankees are to baseball = Ubiquitous

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still waiting for this father/son moment to happen with MLS gear

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even Club America fans have to like this little guy

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building strength and unity the FC Harlem way

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