What now?

It was just a month ago that many of us looked outside, saw the flames, and fled our houses. Some had a few minutes to gather what mattered most to them, while others had only whatever was in their car at the time. For hundreds of AYSO families, everything else they owned went up in smoke.

Amid the destruction, something special happened. Ordinary people drove to Altadena with trucks full of hoses and buckets, and started putting water on fires. Donation centers sprung up, at first at the Rose Bowl, and then on every block on Woodbury. As firefighters and utility workers arrived from all over the country, hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbors spring to action, helping with shelter, transportation, food, clothing, and money. Soccer clubs from around the country have started collecting cleats, shinguards, socks, bags, water bottles, and soccer balls for Altadena's soccer players. How we act when our friends are in trouble shows what kind of friends we really are.

Today, and in the coming months and years, thousands of our friends and neighbors will be dealing with the consequences. Some kids seem to be rolling with it, or at least putting on a good show, while others are profoundly affected.

If you were affected by the fire, you can add your info to the list at ayso13.org/eaton/. Region 13 volunteers can get you new shoes, socks, shorts, whatnot -- you can fill out the form at ayso13.org/eaton/ or reply to this email. 

If you would like to help, you can click through the many pages at ayso13.org/eaton, and consider contributing to a soccer family's gofundme. If you'd like to get more involved, join the #recovery channel in Slack (click to join the AYSO13 Slack).

What about soccer? It goes on. We're providing continuity so our kids can have something that feels normal, but it's also so parent volunteers can have something to look forward to, and feel productive about. All-Stars and Grad Series are continuing, thanks to help from our neighbor regions in South Pasadena, Arcadia, Alhambra, and Glendale who have graciously provided resources for our kids. Winter Stars is canceled and all monies were refunded.

Region 13 intends to offer a spring soccer league. You can sign up for the interest list at ayso13.org/register. There are still some details to work out, such as when it starts and where the games are, and as usual, it will be pay-what-you-can.

If you are leaving the area, want to keep playing with AYSO, and need financial assistance to do so, let us know. AYSO has a new nationwide scholarship fund that can help.

Region 13 is all about making friends through soccer. As you look back on everything that's changed in the last month, I hope you'll reach out to a soccer friend, just to say hello.

Sincerely,

Terry Takahashi

Winter soccer update

Good luck to the All-Star teams in the playoffs this weekend! After pool play, the Section (most competitive level) teams are looking strong: B10-Powers: 1st, B12-Singh: 1st, B14-Rao: 3rd, G10-Stieg: 3rd, G12-Moran: 1st, G14-Wierman: 1st. And in the Area and Regional competitions, Region 13 teams are near the top of most divisions.

A huge thank-you to Zeeni, for quickly making and donating replacement uniforms to the many athletes who lost theirs in the fire, and to our neighbor regions in Glendale, Arcadia, South Pasadena, and Alhambra, for making fields available for practices and games  

What you can do

1. Spend time with soccer friends who were displaced. Whether it's dinner together or playing in the park, it's nice to be together.

2. Sign up for the Spring League waiting list at ayso13.org/register, and teams will be formed as soon as possible.

3. If you haven't already, please answer the feedback survey about the fall soccer league. There are questions that will affect what happens in Fall 2025.

4. Join the new fields committee to secure permits and manage fields so AYSO can resume. Write to brandi@ayso13.org.

5. Join the Region 13 Board and take responsibility for some aspect of the organization. Many of the current board members will be displaced for the foreseeable future.

6. Coach or referee for a kids' team this spring or fall, so that kids can look forward to a positive, fun experience, every week.

Summer camps

Wait, it's time to register for summer camps already? Sign up now for the early-bird discounts.

Be summer-ready. Swim lessons at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center teach a life-saving skill and build water confidence.

Spartan All-Stars for everything from Archery to Ultimate Frisbee, at La Canada HS

Challenger Soccer Camp, week of June 9 at Brookside Park.

LA Grassroots has an informal indoor soccer league in Pasadena for ages 5-12.

Evolve Soccer has indoor soccer classes for all ages, 10 minutes away in Frogtown.

Coach Andy’s Assist Athletics has multi-sport camps in La Canada for ages 4-12.

Upcoming

Find more by subscribing to the Region 13 calendar. The board meeting is usually the first Thursday of each month.

Get involved

AYSO Region 13 is run entirely by volunteers. You're the one who makes AYSO go! Many of our volunteers have lost their homes or have been displaced and we will need new volunteers to help run things. If you're interested in contributing or would like to nominate someone, please write to Terry at help@ayso13.org. See Volunteer Roles page for some descriptions.

You are receiving this message because of your involvement with AYSO Region 13, 711 W. Woodbury Rd., Unit E, Altadena, CA 91001, USA

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