North American fans' kit boosts Everton In The Community coffers

Everton's ever-growing legion of North American fans have made a $2,000 (£1,500) donation to Everton in the Community from sales of personally-branded Club merchandise.

The group of 38 Stateside supporters' clubs teamed up with technical partner hummel to create a range of individual supporters' Club merchandise, all bearing tailored versions of the Everton crest.

T-shirts, hoodies and jackets, all of which feature embroidered supporters' club badges, have proved hugely popular in a successful initiative that is groundbreaking for hummel.

And alongside the dual aim of the building of the Everton brand and growing memberships, the American fans have vowed to donate 10 per cent of all sales to Everton in the Community, with technical partner hummel boosting the charitable total further by donating $1 for every item sold, up to a total of $1,000.

“Everton has a proud, passionate and growing fanbase across North America and we're in constant dialogue with the Club to build engagement and spread the word,” explained Tony Sampson, international member of the Fans' Forum and member of the Chicago Evertonians.

“Supporters' clubs across North America do a lot of great work to support good causes, both in their own localities, and also for Everton in the Community.

“When we began discussing this programme, the groups wanted to make sure that some of the sales went to support the life-changing and vital work that Everton in the Community does."

Tony, who recently visited Goodison Park to present the donation to Everton Assistant Manager Duncan Ferguson, added: “The number of groups involved in the initiative has now grown to 38 and it was great to see so many Blues wearing the gear and representing their local supporters' clubs in Orlando for the Florida Cup.

“We'd love to expand the number of groups involved and have already been sharing ideas with hummel about extending the range of products available.”

Jeff Duback, CEO of hummel in North America, added: “We're proud of this partnership. It's the first time that we've done anything of this scale with a supporters' network, but building awareness and raising the profile of Everton and hummel across local communities is important to us.

“With new supports groups joining the initiative all the time, we're excited about what the next phase can bring.”

Carena Duffy, Fundraising Manager for Everton in the Community, added her thanks for the donation, which will go towards funding the many programmes provided across North Liverpool.

She said: “It's amazing that Blues across the globe are committed to supporting Everton in the Community.

“We regularly receive donations and have overseas Blues take part in some of our activities, and we recognise there are so many deserving causes, so to have them think of us and contribute to our work is very special.”

For more information about the products on offer, visit www.soccer.com/everton

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