We’re excited to announce the release of the 2021 Dark Clouds scarf – available now at shop.mnwonderwall.com. A portion of the proceeds for the sale of the scarf will benefit United Way’s 211 Hope Starts Here fund.
In previous seasons, a scarf has been included with a Dark Clouds membership – whether designated with a season ticket purchase in the Wonderwall or purchased as a standalone membership. The cost of these scarves (along with a lot of other operating costs) is funded through the pass-through revenue the Dark Clouds receive from MNUFC season ticket sales. Because season ticket sales were (and continue to be) disrupted by COVID attendance restrictions, those resources aren’t available to us for the 2021 season. As a result, while season ticket purchases still qualify for supporters group membership, they will not include a scarf this year. Instead, scarves can be purchased from the Wonderwall merch shop for $35. If you’re not a season ticket holder, your $35 also makes you a member.
Just to be extra clear: if you have season tickets in the Wonderwall for the 2021 season, and you designate Dark Clouds as your supporter group, you are a Dark Cloud in 2021. (And we’re very happy to have you.) If you want a scarf to show off your Dark Cloud loyalty, grab one from the shop. If you’re not a season ticket holder, both a membership and a scarf can be yours (for the same $35).
(If you are a season ticket holder and do not wish to purchase a scarf, please keep watch on Dark Clouds social media and newsletters for opportunities to pick up your Wonderwall Card, free of charge.)
We’ve worked through all of our options, and this provides a way for all of us to commemorate the 2021 season while also benefiting those in need via the excellent work done by the United Way and their 2-1-1 service – a free and confidential hotline to access a wide variety of health and human services.
We know these changes are unexpected, and while we all have the perspective to properly prioritize the disappointment in the context of the global pandemic, we also understand that it may feel like yet another bummer in a long list of COVID-related bummers. Members of our Dark Clouds community have rallied together during these challenges – whether by cracking jokes on a streaming watch party or showing up for our limited service opportunities, and we’re proud to carry that spirit through 2021 with our “Here For This” season scarf.
Wherever soccer goes in our community, the Dark Clouds follow – and following means showing up. Whether we’re finding ways to tip our local bar workers with t-shirt sales, hosting donation drives for community aid organizations, raising money for worthy organizations through our end-of-the-year silent auction, or making bad calls work for good causes with our card charity club, we raise one voice where we’re needed. And of course, that means supporting the team on the field whenever and however we can.
In short, we’re Here For This.
The Dark Clouds can claim this identity as a group because of the incredible character of our members – and we want to know what causes drive you. We know you’ll be here for the Loons when they take to the pitch – but we want to hear what else you show up to support. Share your favorite causes, service opportunities, or random acts of kindness with #HereForThis on social media. Let’s amplify the communities we’re building as supporters, citizens, friends, and neighbors. And don’t forget to grab a 2021 season scarf to proudly display that as Dark Clouds, we’re Here for This.