COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Maryland men's soccer program and VOYCENOW Foundation announced plans to distribute the funds raised from the 10K for $10K Run for Equality fundraising campaign Tuesday afternoon. 

With the help of donors across the country, $13,000 was raised and will be distributed to four Maryland-based organizations. Funds will be used to further the education and community initiatives led by the Dream BIG Foundation, the Prince George's County Boys and Girls Club, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Baltimore and Washington D.C. In addition, each organization will also receive at least 40 brand new soccer balls from Cirovski and the Maryland men's soccer program.

"I am absolutely delighted about the success of our first 10K for $10K Run for Equality," Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "At Maryland Soccer, we pride ourselves on not just leading on issues with our words, but with our actions, and I am thrilled about how our program stepped up. Thank you to everyone that supported us in this endeavor and our players who were active in making this a great campaign."

"To be able to partner with VOYCENOW, led by my former players Zack Steffen and Alex Crognale, was incredible and I am so proud of what they continue to do. A special thanks also goes out to Dream BIG's chairman Sean Murphy and Lawrence Sedgwick, Executive Director of the Prince George's County Boys & Girls Club.  We hope to make this an annual event, and myself and my players look forward to visiting the organizations we have helped when the time is appropriate."

Launched on Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 18), the fundraising campaign ran until Saturday, Feb. 6 when participants were able to run, walk, bike or relay the 10K distance. The men's soccer team ran together at Ludwig Field.

"Throughout the last year, we as a team wanted to not just talk about improving the world around us, but actually taking action to achieve some of those goals. Through the Run for Equality, we have started to take that action," Maryland captains Eric Matzelevich and Paul Bin said on behalf of the team. " To work with VOYCENOW, led by two of our own in Zack and Alex, was an incredible opportunity and we were proud to partner with them to help organizations around the Maryland area. We can't wait to continue to help our local community in the future."

The VOYCENOW Foundation was founded in 2020, during historic civil rights protests across the U.S. and globe, by professional soccer players and University of Maryland Men's Soccer alumni Zack Steffen and Alex Crognale. In conjunction with fellow University of Maryland grad, Christopher Korte, the VOYCENOW Foundation operates as a platform for community events, youth mentorship and nonprofit fundraisers, and features over 150 professional athletes across six sports. Formed as a community of professional athletes and fans speaking up for equality and justice, VOYCENOW has now raised over $100,000 through the VOYCENOW Minority Education Fund, to help educate disadvantaged youth, and is currently supported by national organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For more information on VOYCENOW, visit voycenowfoundation.org.

Crognale: "When Sash presented this idea to have the men's soccer team work alongside VOYCENOW to support minority youth in the Maryland area it was a no brainer for us. We couldn't have been more excited to bring in connections from our beloved University of Maryland into our fight for change. It is so humbling and inspiring to see these guys stepping up in the way that the soccer team did. We hope to make The Run for Equality an annual event and are excited at the opportunity to raise even more money next year."

Steffen: "At VOYCENOW we not only wanted to continue the conversation about injustice and systemic racism in our society, but also help promote growth in disadvantaged communities. Working with Sash and Maryland has helped us do just that in both the Baltimore and Washington D.C. communities. It was awesome to connect with the current group of guys on the team and inspiring to see how passionate they are about speaking out and using their platforms to make a difference."

In partnership with Baltimore's Cherry Hill Community, Dream BIG uses a placed-based approach to co-develop, resource, and deliver a high-quality continuum of educational services, which enable young people to choose their own path toward success.

Murphy: "On behalf of Dream Big and the community of Cherry Hill, I can't thank Sasho, the Maryland men's soccer program and VOYCENOW enough for their support through the 10K for $10K. This money will go to support our community's goal of helping improve the educational outcomes of youth."

The Prince George's County Boys & Girls Club Inc. was organized in 1939 and was known as the Prince George's County Police Boys Club. Currently, there are 33 member clubs and the Club consists of approximately 10,000 youth members and more than 3,000 volunteers. The Prince George's County Boys & Girls Club offers a variety of programs including basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, cheerleading, track, and football for the youth of Prince George's County. The purpose of the Prince George's County Boys & Girls Club is to promote the welfare of county youth and foster interest among residents of Prince George's County in their responsibility to these youth.

Sedgwick: "Here at the Prince George's County Boys & Girls Club we are so appreciative of the support from the Maryland men's soccer program and VOYCENOW. The donation we receive will greatly benefit our member clubs and we are excited to partner with Coach Sasho and his program for years to come."