Since its inception earlier this month, The Chattanooga Red
Wolves Foundation has been quickly ramping up its charitable initiatives around the Scenic City. Having already pledged $100,000 to their Pass It Forward campaign whose mission is focused on making soccer accessible to all local kids regardless of economical status, Chattanooga Red Wolves owner Bob Martino continues the philanthropic call to action even further by conducting its first ever Seven Days of Giving Campaign.
Focused on supporting local organizations vital to the community, the Seven Days of Giving Campaign selected one organization each day over the course of seven days and provided financial contributions and needed items to that organization. This year the Foundation spotlighted the following organizations: The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, the East Ridge Needy Child Fund, The Salvation Army of Chattanooga, East Ridge Community Food Pantry, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, East Ridge Animal Services. Beyond the financial considerations made, the foundation also sent the Red Wolves
front office Staff and Red Wolves players shopping to purchase thousands of dollars of toys, clothes and food to donate to the YMCA’s Angel Tree, The East Ridge Needy Child Fund and The East Ridge Community Food Pantry.
The criteria for selection of the receiving community organizations was based on numerous factors including the organizations community engagement as well as its level of service for caring for those in need. “Supporting those in need has been a top priority for the Red Wolves since our inception. Creating The Red Wolves
Foundation has been our next step in helping contribute to the community at an even greater scale,” says Red Wolves owner, Bob Martino. “The goal of our Seven Days of Giving Campaign is to provide a much needed boost to local organizations, especially towards those aiding families in need during the holiday season.”
Finding organizations like the East Ridge Needy Child Fund that have the majority of their impact on the community around the holidays was a priority of the 7 Days of Giving Campaign. “When I was asked to provide the Red Wolves Foundation with a list of items we needed for the East Ridge Needy Child Fund, I would never have fathomed that they would show up with a bus load of toys and almost every item on the list – plus more, said East Ridge Needy Child Fund President Alicia Stanfield. “Their contributions allow us to continue to serve the children and their families in East Ridge. We are so thankful for their support and blessed to have this great group of people
and players in our community. We hope to continue to grow in our relationship with their organization for many years to come!”
While selecting organizations that heavily focus on impacting the local community during the holiday season was a big part of the campaign, the foundation made sure to not overlook groups impacting the community year round like the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. “Our organization is able to empower and uplift disadvantaged persons and communities of color as a part of our mission because of our generous and dedicated community supporters,” said Candy C. Johnson, president and CEO of the Chattanooga affiliate. “We very much appreciate the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club’s partnership and willingness to help us fulfill our longstanding efforts to advance racial equity and economic prosperity.”
“The Downtown Family YMCA greatly appreciates the generosity of its supporters and donors – like the Red Wolves Foundation. It is foundations like Red Wolves who fuel the mission of the YMCA,” says Debbie Sabelka, Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA. “The YMCA is often the starting point for kids in learning about being
active, gaining confidence, building positive relationships, and teamwork. Generous contributions like that of the Red Wolves Foundation enhance our reach and impact to our youth.”
After a successful first year, the Chattanooga Red Wolves Foundation looks forward to expanding the outreach in the following years to come.
About the Chattanooga Red Wolves Foundation
Founded in 2020, The Chattanooga Red Wolves Foundation is a 501c3 non profit founded by Bob and Lana Martino to serve as the philanthropic arm of the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club. For more information contact [email protected].
