Foster Care Month Celebrated with Tony Sanneh and the NSC Stars vs. Miami FC Blues Saturday, May 15, 7:00 pm

Blaine, MN – 5-13-10
Two thousand foster children and their families will celebrate Foster Care Month at the NSC Minnesota Stars vs. Miami FC Blues match May 15 at 7 p.m. at the NSC Stadium.

The event is sponsored by the Sanneh Foundation and supported by the NSC Minnesota Stars; Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Scott counties; and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Former U.S. soccer star and Minnesota native Tony Sanneh will be conducting a free clinic for ALL youth from 5:30-6:30 pm on field U2 (exhibition field) as part of the Sanneh Foundation’s sponsorship of this event, which includes providing tickets to foster care children and their families. The Sanneh Foundation is committed to “connecting the dots” between urban youth, organizations, schools and families and has been active since 2003.

“After the 2002 World Cup, when I got some attention, I knew I could be a positive voice, which is why I started this foundation,” says Sanneh.

His mother is a social worker who has been involved with previous foster care appreciation events and helped bring this opportunity to his attention.

Another major initiative of the Sanneh Foundation has been work in Haiti as part of the effort to recover from the devastating January 2010 earthquake. Tony traveled to Haiti in early March in coordination with the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation and is currently working to bring at least one Haitian team to Schwan’s USA CUP in July.

For Saturday’s game, the event schedule includes:
5-6:45 pm: Opportunity for foster families to picnic outdoors before the game
5:30-6:30 pm: Soccer clinic for youth with world class soccer player Tony Sanneh, founder of The Sanneh Foundation
6:45 pm: March to the Match for youth to parade onto the soccer field before the game
7 pm: NSC Minnesota Stars vs. Miami FC Blues with half-time ceremony honoring foster families on the field
Post-game – Autographs with NSC Minnesota Stars players on the field.
County foster care experts will be on hand at information tables throughout the event to answer questions and distribute information to those interested in becoming foster parents.

“This event is an opportunity to recognize and thank foster families who help ease children’s struggles and provide safe, nurturing homes for a short time,” said Minnesota Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner Chuck Johnson. “It’s also a chance to encourage other people to consider becoming foster families. We have a great need, especially for families to care for teenagers and large sibling groups.”

“The National Sports Center appreciates the efforts of Minnesota’s foster families,” said Kris Bjerkness, general manager of the NSC Minnesota Stars and chief administrative officer of the National Sports Center. “We have a long-standing relationship with Tony Sanneh, and we are pleased to play our part as his foundation honors the important contributions these families make to our communities each and every day.”