Villa residents play FIFA 2013 to raise money for KIVA, a microfinance company that gives loans to third-world entrepreneurs, and Athletic Club Portland. (Photo courtesy of Sean Ducey)
By Connor Snashall, Staff Writer snashall15@up.edu
Villa Maria Hall hosted its second annual FIFA for Freedom tournament and raised $500 for AC Portland
Whoever said video games are a waste of time? For Villa residents, gaming is a profitable source of fundraising.
On Feb. 16, Villa hosted its second annual 'FIFA for Freedom' tournament to raise money by playing the FIFA 2013 video game for KIVA, a microfinance company that gives loans to third world entrepreneurs, and Athletic Club (AC) Portland, a local organization dedicated to helping students.
Paul Auxier, junior, commissioned the tournament and believes the dorm's love for soccer, video games and helping the community drives their success.
"Villa has such a passion for soccer, and what's great about the tournament is we combine that love with great causes such as AC Portland and KIVA," Auxier said.
The tournament raised $500 for AC Portland, enough to support one student athlete for an entire season.
"AC Portland is working hard to help Portland area elementary school kids, and to have the support of students from University of Portland means so much to them," Executive Director of AC Portland Ben Dudley said. "It gives them a role model and a goal to one day attend college themselves."
This is just one example of UP students implementing the school's mission statement in the community around them. Recent graduate and current AC Portland intern Danielle Foxhoven can attest to UP providing tools for students after four years on The Bluff.
"As a part of the women's soccer team, we were a big part of the Ronald McDonald house, and as a part of the business school, we were always asked to be a part of community service projects," Foxhoven said. "It was little things like that that really helped me realize how much the community needs help and I wanted to use my resources and network to help fulfill that need."
UP and AC Portland were initially connected when Foxhoven worked with the organization during an equipment drive with Equipment Across Continents, a nonprofit Foxhoven founded.
Villa's connection to AC Portland started last year when Auxier, Villa Maria's Service and Justice Coordinator wanted to stimulate more involvement in the organization and volunteer his time for a cause within the community.
"The FIFA for Freedom tournament was the first fundraiser that happened on our behalf by UP students, but my hope would be for more in the future," Dudley said.
When Villa's passion coincides with community need, it makes it that much easier to work together. Villa's FIFA for Freedom tournament is one example of Auxier's favorite quote he heard from 2012 graduate Kurt Berning regarding service
"For every great idea you have, there are 100 other great ideas. What makes yours different is putting it into action," Berning said.
Auxier agrees that students need to continue to stay involved and help in their community.
Villa residents play FIFA 2013 to raise money for KIVA, a microfinance company that gives loans to third-world entrepreneurs, and Athletic Club Portland. (Photo courtesy of Sean Ducey)
