Soccer Star Coming to EP to Benefit Local Groups

Portuguese soccer star Pauleta will be coming to East Providence on July 19th for a day of activities to benefit three local nonprofits: East Providence AYSO, the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence, and the Portuguese Learning Center of East Providence.

Activities for the day will include a morning instructional soccer clinic for youth ages 6 – 13, a game in which Pauleta and his team will play against East Providence adult players, and an evening celebration dinner at the Riviera Restaurant in East Providence. “As an international soccer star, Pauleta made Portuguese communities all over the world very proud,” said Sen. Dan DaPonte, “What is most appreciated, however, is his humility and initiative of taking his charitable works to not only the Portuguese-American community in East Providence, but especially to three very worthy organizations.”

Pauleta, who was born in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island in the Azores, enjoyed a long and successful professional soccer career, joining the Portuguese National Team in 1997 and playing in two World Cups for Portugal. He is also known for his five years as a striker for Paris Saint-Germain where he scored 109 goals. Also known for his charitable work, he founded a youth soccer school in his hometown in 2004, which expanded into its own facilities in 2007.

With a strong fan base in East Providence, Pauleta made the decision to give back to our city as well, volunteering to come here to help raise funds for local charities. “The Pauleta Foundation was started as a way to help underprivileged and developmentally disabled youth,” said Pauleta. “In partnership with our soccer school, we have held fundraising events for orphanages and visited the sick in the hospitals at Christmas. The Portuguese emigrant communities, especially from the Azores, were very supporting of me during my career. This is a way to give something back to them and help support the organizations that they support in the communities where they live.”

The first event of its kind in East Providence, the day is anticipated to have a great impact on our community. “All funds raised for our organization will be going into our scholarship fund,” said Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Erin Gilliatt. “As the only drop-in center for youth in our community, Pauleta’s visit will help us reach out to even more children who need us next year.”

The support going to the other agencies will likewise be transformational: “AYSO’s Vision is to provide world class youth soccer programs that enrich children’s lives,” said Karen Doucette, AYSO Regional Commissioner. “While the FIFA Women’s World Cup is promoting this globally, locally we have Pauleta to come and play in East Providence.” The Portuguese Learning Center is also excited to have such renowned Portuguese icon visiting our city. “We aim to teach the Portuguese language and culture, while enriching the Portuguese Community,” said the committee from PLC – Portuguese Learning Center of East Providence. “This will be a visit of a lifetime for our younger Portuguese students.”

Tickets for all events are available online at playwithpauleta.com. For more information, or to learn about available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Erin Gilliatt at the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence at 401-434-6776.