Fans young and old are inspired everyday by the Portland Thorns both on and off the field. Standing together with the local community and leveraging the passion of their fans, the Thorns encourage everyone to give back in ways big and small. Fan favorite, defensive back, Emily Menges, continues to honor her brother, Bobby, who gave back consistently while he battled cancer throughout his life. This month fans can continue the inspiring work Bobby started as a child by supporting the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation.

 

After Bobby passed away two years ago, I’m Not Done Yet foundation was created to carry on his passion and spirit and specifically to support adolescent patients with serious, long-term, and chronic illnesses transition from pediatrics to young adulthood. Currently, the foundation is working to better support the daily lives of these patients by funding peer-to-peer patient support groups, building innovative age-appropriate break-out spaces for relaxation and free time during treatment, and sponsoring research studies among other efforts. Read more...

 

While the foundation’s work began in the East, there are many opportunities to impact the youth in the Pacific Northwest as well. Portland fans can help the foundation establish deeper roots in the Rose City by attending the upcoming Thorn’s game on Saturday, September 21st at Providence Park, purchasing custom I’m Not Done Yet t-shirts and/or donating directly to support the foundation's efforts. The Thorns Organization will generously match the first $5,000 donated to the foundation throughout this month as well. 

 

"There are so many incredible things that set the Thorns apart from other organizations in the NWSL," Emily Menges shares, "Our fans are the most passionate, our management pushes boundaries for women's sports hardest, our community outreach extends further into our community than any other club. I have been blown away by the extent to which the entire organization has supported our efforts through the I'm Not Done Yet foundation. From Merritt and Gavin who encourage me to add foundation related support into my contract, to the Stand Together community outreach team for putting together this whole campaign and making all possible hurdles look conquerable, to the design team who designed the t-shirts, all the way down to my teammates who consistently show their support for my family and me in more ways than simply wearing the t-shirts during warm-up. It's an unbelievable community to be a part of and I'm lucky that I can bring my brother's passion for giving back to the soccer field with me." 

 

Bobby proved that anyone and everyone can make an impact and now you can too. Come out to Providence Park and show your support for the Thorns and the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation.

- Caitlin Thomas, Portland, OR

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