D.C. United took some time out of its busy schedule to lend a hand at D.C. Central Kitchen yesterday afternoon, and we thought we’d take a moment to share their good deed with you. Midfielders Perry Kitchen and John Thorrington were joined by several United front-office employees in preparing meals for the charity’s “First Helping” program, an outreach effort aimed at delivering meals to those in need on a daily basis.
The volunteer effort was part of United’s charitable outreach program, United Builds. The club has had an active role in volunteer efforts throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia since its inception, and regularly works with organizations such as the Central Kitchen and Children’s National Medical Center. Many United employees are actually given time off to pursue their volunteer efforts, in line with the club’s motto: “Win Championships. Serve the Community.”
And that mission statement extends to United’s players as much as it does their desk-bound colleagues; goalkeeper Bill Hamid volunteers four times a week with United Soccer Club, the team’s outreach program aimed at bringing the beautiful game to under-served elementary and middle school kids.
Under the watchful eye of chef Will “The Original” Ferrell (yes, his name is Will Ferrell and yes, he insisted I refer to him as “The Original”), Thorrington, Kitchen and company spent an hour-and-a-half slicing, dicing and mashing in the outreach program’s expansive basement kitchen. It didn’t take long before the competitive nature of United’s midfield corps came out: Kitchen and Thorrington entered into a veritable slice-off, which Thorrington won handily.
United’s volunteer crew were so productive that at some point, Ferrell turned to me and said, “Man, these guys are a machine!” before joking that they put the Washington Wizards volunteer team that had passed through the kitchen earlier in the week to shame.
To volunteer with United Builds, join its mailing list right here. Information about volunteer opportunities at D.C. Central Kitchen can be found on the organization’s website.
