VANCOUVER (Tuesday, September 12, 2006) – SOCCERIO on Commercial Drive, the month-long celebration of soccer, multi-national diversity and children held June 9-July 9 during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, was the highlight of the summer for SOS Children’s Villages, the official charity of FIFA.

SOCCERIO on Commercial Drive not only raised more than $16,326 in proceeds, it provided many more times that in public awareness and media recognition for SOS Children’s Villages.

“We certainly appreciate the more than $16,326 in proceeds and that is always our priority as we pursue the expansion of our services, but the amount of media and public attention that was directed towards our cause is equally important as we advocate for our children here in British Columbia,” said Cary Gaymond of SOS Children’s Villages.

A total of 14 venues officially supported SOCCERIO on Commercial Drive and the fund-raising campaign for SOS Children’s Villages.  Joining forces as presenting partners were the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Commercial Drive Business Society, the RIO on BROADWAY and The Province newspaper, a division of CanWest MediaWorks, Ltd.

The RIO on BROADWAY led the way in raising funds by offering admission to its 458-seat theatre at 1660 East Broadway by donation to SOS Children’s Villages. A minimum donation of $5 per World Cup fan was made to support SOS initiatives here in British Columbia and the SOS Canada commitment to fund a new village in Rustenberg, South Africa, through FIFA’s “6 Villages in 2006” campaign. Other venues supported the festival and SOS Children’s Villages by distributing promotional materials.

“We met and exceeded our original goal of $15,000 but more important, we helped drive a good sense of community involvement and public awareness for the cause of children in need here in British Columbia,” said Mukesh Goyal, the Principal and Director of the RIO on BROADWAY.  “Thanks to the support of all of our partners, including of course the Whitecaps FC, The Province, Global Television, Corus Radio and Soccer City, we helped take public recognition for SOS Children’s Villages to the next level and we’re very proud to have had the chance to work with them and support them in this way. It’s a wonderful and meaningful cause.”

Goyal was one of the champions of SOCCERIO on Commercial Drive, along with Co-Chairs Corrado Lenzi of La Rocca Ristorante Italiano and Marijoel Cramer of the Commercial Drive Business Society and Carmen D’Onofrio, Jr., President of the Commercial Drive Business Society.

Official Venues joining with the RIO on BROADWAY in featuring World Cup soccer action from Germany included: Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar, Bouzyos Greek Taverna, Caffe Napoli, Caffe Roma, Dolce Amore, El Cocal, Exotico Café, Falconettis, Fets Pasta Bar & Grill, Joe’s Café, La Rocca Ristorante Italiano, Portuguese Club of Vancouver (PCOV) and Riddim & Spice.

In addition to raising the funds at the RIO on BROADWAY, SOCCERIO on Commercial Drive featured media promotion, links on www.whitecapsfc.com, and a two-pronged commemorative and t-shirt campaign promoting ‘The World as One’.”  More than $100,000 in media and promotional materials were developed in support of the month-long campaign.

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