As Republic FC kicked off its 10th season in March, the club continued its unwavering commitment to uplifting and supporting the community. From pledge campaigns, to volunteer events, to a groundbreaking jersey patch – here’s a look back at some of the club’s off-the-pitch highlights from the last month.
Goals for Crash
In a month-long campaign, Republic FC and its supporters raised over $2,000 for the Colon Cancer Alliance and Fight Colorectal Cancer to honor the life and legacy of passional fan Shaun “Crash” Kitka.
St. Baldrick’s Brave the Shave
Over 90 participants – including Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs, Carlos Saldaña, and Rodrigo Lopez – had their hair shaved to raise over $1,000 for Childhood Cancer Awareness.
Annual Nonprofit Mixer
Over 200 organizations from across the region gathered in Downtown Sacramento for the 4th Annual Republic FC Nonprofit Mixer. Participants had the opportunity to meet Republic FC’s Community Investment Team and hear about the many ways that the Indomitable Club can team up with those making a difference.
Opening Week of Service
Ahead of Republic FC’s 10th home opener, the club called on fans and community champions to join its annual week of service to the region. With members of the club’s front office, players, coaching staff, partners, and fans, the team completed over 150 hours of community service throughout the week. A few of these projects were brought to life by Team Giving, Inc. If your company or organization is looking for volunteer opportunities, please visit TeamGiving.org.
Monday, March 13th, the team helped prepare over 150 hygiene kits to the Wellspring Women’s Center, in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, that nurtures the innate goodness and personal self-esteem of women and their children. 
Tuesday, March 14th Sacramento Republic FC helped the Ronald McDonald House, which provides services to support children and their families receiving medical care prepare packages for pediatric patients and participate in an “odd job work party” to provide minor maintenance and repairs around the facility. 
Wednesday, March 15th, the team helped paint rooms for Saint John’s Real Program for Change, which provides shelter and resources for women and children struggling with homelessness and other challenges such as poverty, substance use disorder, mental health, violence and abuse – and works to help them build successful new lives. 
Thursday, March 16th we helped with weeding, harvesting, and other gardening needs for New Roots Farm, who works to increase refugee access to and participation in the local food system through agricultural training, food access and security programming, community farming, and business development training. 
Friday, March 17th, Sacramento Republic FC helped sort and package fresh produce and non-perishable items for distribution at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, which is the largest nonprofit provider of basic human needs in Sacramento County, distributing 2.9 millions pound of food each month and many other social services including immigration legal assistance, utilities assistance, and refugee resettlement aid.
“This Jersey Can Help Save a Life” – Republic FC Adds 988 Patch to 2023 Kit
In partnership with Western Health Advantage and Wellspace Health, the club added a new patch to its jersey, featuring 988, new national suicide prevention hotline number in the United States. The patch will create an important conversation point that can help save lives in every community where the team takes the field.
CHP & Fire Station Visits
Ahead of First Responders Night presented by Medic Ambulance, Republic FC players and staff visited the California Highway Patrol (CHP) academy and Sacramento Fire Station #5 to get a glimpse into the life of the brave people who keep the community safe.
STEM Goals
To close out the month, Republic FC and SMUD visited students at Ethel Phillips Elementary in South Sacramento to celebrate the conclusion of the 2022-23 STEM Goals season. The soccer-based math game was developed with the assistance of Learn Fresh, exclusively for Republic FC and SMUD to provide educators with a resource that links sports and science in a fun and engaging way.
Community Tickets
In partnership with 135 non-profit organizations, over 2,400 people were able to attend a Republic FC for free this month. Through this program, community members are able to experience the excitement of professional soccer – often for the first time. Learn more & request community tickets!
