Christina Smedley, Vice President, Global Brand and Communications, PayPal
The tournament – and soccer in general – has a capacity to transcend and unify in a way that’s deeply powerful. It facilitates an important connection among people, cultures and ideas that we don’t often encounter in our day-to-day lives.
Right now, for example, the tournament is casting an important spotlight on its host country Brazil, where the conversation around the event’s impact remains loud as protestors seek funds for basic services.
In the spirit of global unity, people across the world can’t help but also feel a connection with Brazilians in need of something as basic as clean water, something we take for granted. With all eyes on Brazil right now, their issues are now our issues. We want to, and should, help. And it’s a tournament, so why not have some competition involved too?
One of Brazil’s biggest stars is leading the way: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior is using his global celebrity to help bring clean water to those for whom it is a luxury. He’s working with PayPal and the Waves for Water foundation to encourage soccer fans worldwide to compete for good. After last week’s news of Neymar’s injury, the entire PayPal team is sending him well wishes for a speedy recovery.
As the tournament reaches the semifinals today, some countries will be celebrating in the streets while others kiss their hopes goodbye for another four years. But we’re proud to say that as of today, PayPal has empowered people around the world to donate over $135,000 in funds, providing clean water to over 200,000 Brazilians who didn’t have it when the first whistle in São Paulo was blown.
Jon Rose, Founder of Waves for Water, conducting a filtration system demonstration
eBay has also been a tremendous support, having hosted an online auction of soccer gear signed by Neymar Jr., with all proceeds benefitting Waves for Water, as well as including Waves for Water at Give at Checkout.
With over two months since the launch of our new brand identity and global campaign, this partnership is truly the People Economy in action – working to create a world that works for people, rather than the other way around. A world that puts people first and makes every day easier and better, for everyone. We invite you to join us in celebrating the best that soccer brings out in us – camaraderie, connection, passion – while making a big impact on a serious issue like access to clean water. Now that’s a goal we can all get behind.
Visit www.competitionforgood.com to learn more and donate today. PayPal will also match 100% of your donation, up to a total of $50,000, through July 13, 2014.
Together, we can win this match!
*To be eligible for this Offer, you must use a PayPal account in good standing and complete a donation on the PayPal site no later than July 13h 2014 at 11:59:59 PDT. Limit 10 donation transactions per PayPal account during the Offer Period. In order to receive this Offer you must: a) have a current U.S. PayPal account in good standing, b) receive an email directly from PayPal inviting you to participate in the Offer, and, c) complete a donation for Waves for Water on the PayPal site, using your PayPal account no later than July 13th, 2014.