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Every season the Houston Dynamo in conjunction with Dynamo Charities have a Bald is Beautiful day at BBVA Compass Stadium. The day is consistently in conjunction with a Houston Dynamo home match, and a host of activities all centered around and benefiting the Curing Children's Cancer Fund. One of the primary activities encourages fans of all ages, gender, race and creed to shave their heads to show their support for those battling cancer. The Bald is Beautiful day for 2014 is scheduled for May 11th.
Later in the season the Houston Dynamo will also host the annual Dynamo Charities match at BBVA Compass Stadium, with the good guys (that would be the Houston Dynamo) facing off against the still good, but not quite as good guys (a yet to be named opponent most likely from Europe). Last season saw Stoke City come to Houston with fan favorites Geoff Cameron and Stuart Holden returning to where it all began as bystanders.
Bald is Beautiful and the Dynamo Charities match are just two of the many Dynamo Charities events for the 2014 Major League Soccer season, but what makes the Houston Dynamo as an organization so special isn't just Dynamo Charities. The player's also have their own causes they support with time and appearances, among countless other things they do for them.
The House That Ching Built is one of the more well-known player causes among Houston Dynamo fans. While Brian Ching has since retired as a player and moved to the front office of the Houston Dynamo sister club Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League, his charity continues to work with Habitat for Humanity to build "green" homes for local Houston families. They just recently finished yet another home for a local family, and various fans and front office personnel volunteered their time to help the project.
Most Dynamo fans will also be familiar with Brad and Tally's Banded Brigade. The organization has teamed up with Banded Brigade Outdoors to support service men and women throughout the year with various morale-building events. The nature of such events should not surprise any fans familiar with either Brad or Tally's favorite past times, hunting, fishing and target-shooting. In conjunction with Brad and Tally's Banded Brigade, the Houston Dynamo will host an Armed Forced Night on July 4th at the stadium.
One of the lesser known player causes may just be Will Bruin's #12 Club which promotes a commitment to and respect for all animals via the Houston SPCA. An event is scheduled for August 30th which includes a silent auction and an all around good time. Also, No Label Brewing Company is said to be working with Bruin on a special brew named "Mollie's Bock", with 100% of sales going to the Houston SPCA. A campaign of sorts has also taken shape to show support for Will Bruin's #12 Club and Houston SPCA by having fans to pledge per goal Will scores this season.
And if you thought the causes ended with the players, you'd be wrong. Even the Houston Dynamo mascot, Dynamo Diesel, sponsors a toy drive and fundraiser benefiting B.I.G. Love Cancer Care. The organization provides basic necessities and personalized care to cancer kids and their families at hospitals in the greater Houston area.
At the end of the day, however, no matter how much the player's or the club want to support local charities or organizations, it is the fans whose support makes the real difference. Be on the look out for more events and activities at the Dynamo Charities page!