Columbus Crew, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Host On Our Sleeves® Match vs. Orlando City SC on May 13 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 10, 2023) – As part of their year-long partnership, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Columbus Crew are once again advancing The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health in May, highlighted by the “On Our Sleeves” match this Saturday, May 13, against Orlando City SC at Lower.com Field. Throughout the day, the Crew, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Nationwide and Crew supporters will help break stigmas around children’s mental health, as well as raise funds in support of the cause.

The night will be capped by Central Ohio’s largest and the club’s first drone show, which will illuminate the skies to shed light on the importance of children’s mental health while celebrating the Black & Gold’s history, On Our Sleeves, Crew supporters and everyone’s shared commitment to the City of Columbus and its youth. 

“Community champions and advocates are important when it comes to normalizing the conversation about the mental health and well-being of children,” said Ariana Hoet, PhD, executive clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “We’re thankful for the Columbus Crew and their fans, as well as our corporate partners like Nationwide, who are helping to drive awareness to the expert-backed resources available through On Our Sleeves and support the mental health of children here in Columbus and beyond.” 

“Through our youth soccer and education initiatives, the Crew are dedicated to providing Columbus’ youth with resources that help lead to long-term success and support their physical and mental health,” said President of Business Operations Kristin Bernert. “Nationwide Children’s Hospital and On Our Sleeves do a remarkable job of advocating for children’s mental health in our region and throughout the country, and we have a special opportunity to assist their efforts during Saturday’s match.” 

On Our Sleeves, which is powered by behavioral health experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, is on a mission to provide tools and resources to every community, including parents, teachers and coaches nationwide. Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Crew will provide information throughout fans’ matchday experience to encourage conversations about and awareness of childhood mental health topics. 

Multiple Crew players will be wearing cleats with On Our Sleeves imagery during pre-match warmups to raise awareness for the cause, including Midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who recently visited Nationwide Children’s Hospital and will don a captain’s armband promoting the initiative. Black & Gold players’ jerseys will also feature numbers displaying Nationwide Children’s Hospital icons. Items will be available to Crew supporters via an auction that benefits On Our Sleeves. 

Additionally, the Crew are donating net proceeds from their 50/50 raffle throughout the month of May to support On Our Sleeves’ mission. Supporters can also join the effort by electing to donate $1 after concessions purchases at Lower.com Field.  

“Nationwide is proud to support On Our Sleeves and drive greater awareness of the conversation-starting resources available to help families and children in our communities,” said Jim McCoy, AVP of Sports Marketing for Nationwide. “Being able to amplify the On Our Sleeves movement alongside two Nationwide partners – Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Columbus Crew – has made this an even more rewarding and impactful collaboration.”