All-Star Softball Classic

On Sunday, May 22^nd, the United Way is hosting the 2016 All-Star Softball Classic at Safeco Field in Seattle. The event is being held to support struggling youth and young adults within Seattle and King County. Attendees and local celebrities alike will be able to participate in the event in order to bring awareness to many of the issues facing youth in the area, whether it is aging out of the foster care system, facing hurtles to completing their education or homelessness. Together, on Sunday May 22^nd , Safeco Field will join the #istandforyouth movement and bring awareness to the many issues facing young adults on the way to adulthood.

Last year the 2015 All-Star Softball Classic raised $1.4 million dollars for youth support programs with the United Way. This money went towards creation of homeless shelters, and providing job training for troubled youth. Last year alone 210 young people were supported through the programs and prevented from facing homelessness. Attendees will be sure to see a lot of excitement and get a lot of laughs during the game, there are many surprises in store. Not to mention attendees will be able to get up close and personal with the players and run the bases themselves after the end of the game. This year, the goals are even bigger and the lineup of team members even more exciting.

Although not the game he retired from, Marcus Trufant a former cornerback in for the Seattle Seahawks will be participating in Sunday’s softball event. Trufant played in the NFL for 10 seasons, originally chosen as the 11^th overall pick in the 2003 draft. He is a hometown favorite, only recently retiring from the NFL in 2013. In 2007 Trufant was a major player in the Seahawkes defense lineup. He was voted into the Hawaii Pro-Bowl in 2008 and in 2010 traveled to Canada in order to speak with students at a Vancouver area school as part of the NFL Take a Player to School contest.

Since retiring from the NFL in 2013, Trufant has moved back to Washington state, and has started a youth football team near Tacoma. He continues to coach for the team as well. In 2003 after being drafted into the NFL, Marcus founded the Trufant Family Foundation. This organization has been helping underprivileged youth make their dreams come true through organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Hearts for Kids, and the Sickle Cell Camp.  The organization, lead by members of the Trufant family including Marcus, focuses its energy and fundraising on three main areas for youth: scholarships, youth football programs and fitness programs for families. According to Marcus, “I wanted to encourage, inspire, and make a lasting impact on youth by sharing my story and success.”

On Sunday, Trufant’s participation alongside other local celebrities in the All-Star Classic Event will be sure to help draw in the crowds, this year it should top over 5000 attendees. The 2016 event will continue to spread awareness on the important issues faced by underprivileged youth as well continue to raise funds for the areas most needed to prevent homelessness in young adults in Seattle and King County.

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