Senate GOP Donates Soccer Balls To Atlanta Boys & Girls Clubs

ATLANTA -- After meeting with representatives of Atlanta United on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan announced that the Senate Republican Caucus will donate 40 soccer balls to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Senate leadership received soccer balls from listeners of Erick Erickson's radio show earlier in the month.

"We want to show our support for Georgia’s children by partnering with a group that gives kids a safe place in their communities for physical activity, educational pursuits and fun with friends," said Dugan. "Senate Republicans present this gift knowing it’ll provide hundreds and hundreds of hours of exercise, team work and practice for kids throughout metro Atlanta."

"The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta helps young people throughout the metro area and I can't think of a more worthy organization,” said Dugan. “When meeting with representatives of Atlanta United today, I was reminded of the opportunities that soccer can create, including a healthy lifestyle."

On Thursday, the Senate recognized Atlanta United FC for winning the MLS Cup. The senate also passed SB 8, sponsored by Sen. P.K. Martin (R-Lawrenceville), to create an Atlanta United license plate that will raise $10 per plate for the Atlanta United Foundation.

Atlanta United joined Major League Soccer in 2017 and won the 2018 MLS Cup in just its second season of existence, the earliest an expansion team has won the title since 1998. During its inaugural season, Atlanta also became just the fourth team in league history to qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs in its first year.

The club has set multiple league records including season tickets sales (36,000-plus), single-game attendance (72,243), single-season average (53,002) and total home attendance (901,033).

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