Save the Crew is about keeping the Columbus Crew where they belong: in Columbus. But keeping the Crew in Columbus is about more than just having a team to root for; it’s about understanding the role a club and its supporters play in their community. From the outset, Save the Crew has been motivated by a vision of the Crew and Crew Supporters as a force for good in our city and region.

As a part of that vision, Save the Crew is proud to offer fans two opportunities to support their team and their city this weekend:

1. Back-to-School Supply Drive for Livingston Elementary School

Join Save the Crew in making sure students in first and second grade at Livingston Elementary School, just east of downtown Columbus start the year off right—with all of the supplies they need to be successful.

Save the Crew will be collecting crayons, No. 2 pencils, tissues, notebooks and backpacks at MEGATAILGATE in the Southwest Corner of the Mapfre Stadium parking lot from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, August 11 before the game against the Houston Dynamo.

You can find most or all of these supplies on sale this week at your local Meijer, WalMart, or Kroger stores.

2. Donate Tickets Through our Community Assist Program

Are you a season-ticket member who can’t make it to the Houston match? Do you want to spread the joy of soccer to others?

You can purchase tickets to the match (if possible in section 113 or 115), and use Ticketmaster’s “Transfer Tickets” feature to transfer the tickets to community@savethecrew.com.

If you have season tickets you’re not planning to use, you can also donate them here.

If you donate tickets, but you’re still going to the match, stop in at the MEGATAILGATE to hang out with the beneficiaries of this week’s Community Assist, members of GCGBAG and other supporters groups.

And while you’re there? Don’t forget the school supplies.