Colorado Striker Partners With
Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation and the American Red Cross to
Raise Funds to Help People of Liberia
DENVER, CO (09-02-03)- Zizi Roberts, a native of civil
war-torn Liberia, announced today that he and the Colorado Rapids Community
Care Foundation are teaming up with the Mile High Chapter of the American
Red Cross to raise funds to help victims of the war in Liberia.
“I would like to try to help and give something back to my
people in Liberia who have been suffering for many, many years,” said Zizi
Roberts. “It is my desire to create awareness about the situation of my home
country so that we can let my people know that Liberians outside the country
and the entire world have not forgotten about them and that hope is still
alive.”
Liberia has been riddled with civil war and unrest for
over 14 years. The bloody seven-year civil war that stretched from 1989 to
1996 left behind hundreds of thousands of victims, among them many of
Roberts’ family and friends. The civil war left the country in shambles, and
since then, numerous coups in the government have led to fighting among the
differing warring factions throughout the nation, resulting in a new civil
war. As the United Nations troops enter Liberia to restore peace, the
struggle to rebuild the nation and help those millions affected by the war
continues.
Donations may be made to the Zizi Roberts Liberian Relief
Effort, care of the Colorado Rapids Community Foundation, by calling
(303-299-1526) or on-line
here.
All funds and donations will be presented to the Mile High Chapter of the
American Red Cross for distribution to the International Response Effort for
Liberia, where they will be distributed to the Liberian people through their
already-established service centers in Monrovia, the Capital of Liberia. One
of these service centers and shelters is based at the Monrovia National
Soccer Stadium.
Rapids
fans attending the September 6 game between the Rapids and the Dallas Burn
will have a first-hand opportunity to donate at the informational
table/collection centers coordinated by the Rapids and the American Red
Cross. The soccer family and sports fans of the Colorado area can also make
donations to the Zizi Roberts Liberian Relief Effort during the following
Rapids matches: September 13 vs. Kansas City Wizards, October 1 vs. Chicago
Fire and October 10 vs. San Jose Earthquakes or anytime online by
clicking here.
Zizi, who joined the Rapids on February
26, 2003, grew up in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, before moving to
Italy in 1997, where he played for two years. He then moved to Greece, where
he played until the end of 2000, before being acquired by the Rapids. He has
represented his country playing for the Liberian National team on various
occasions. His mother and father remain in Liberia, where they are awaiting
a way out of the country or the resolution of the conflict.
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian
organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and
the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides
relief to victims of disaster and conflicts and helps people prevent,
prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
