LouCity and Racing Foundation hosting 2nd annual Soccer Ball fundraiser at the Galt House

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The professional soccer season is almost over, and Louisville's men and women in purple will end it helping children overcome barriers to getting into the sport.

LouCity and Racing Foundation want to give all children in the community access to soccer by eliminating obstacles that keep kids from playing soccer and starting a youth soccer program that fosters a healthy and social environment.

The foundation will hold its second annual Soccer Ball fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Galt House. Jeremy Jarvi and George Davis IV joined WDRB Mornings Tuesday to let us how you can participate in the Soccer Ball.

Guests will enjoy an open bar and three-course meal, interactions with players and coaches, player introductions, silent and live auctions and an awards presentation.

Former Louisville City FC player and current Executive Director Matt Fondy will be the keynote speaker. Live music by Ben Sollee & Friends will keep everyone entertained.

Jarvi said they expect about 1,000 people to attend.

"We put it together in four months last year and had a big response, and it's grown this year," Jarvi said. "So we like to say we're bringing the whole family together. We'll have the coaches, both the teams, the youth academy, the foundation, and corporate and general fans will all be there."

All of the money raised will be used to make the sport accessible to everyone, regardless of their special needs.

"Our goal is to break down those barriers — whether it be financial, whether it be geographic — to allow kids to be able to play and to have an opportunity to play the game," Davis said. "We do that in a number of ways: from programs, partnering up with community organizations and schools. We do clinics and then we also scholarship players into our academy and other club opportunities."

Participants don't need to worry about dressing formal attire.

"We want to have this event fit our culture," Jarvi said. So it's not a black tie, it's cocktail attire. You get the wear your best favorite kicks or sneakers. It's a very comfortable, very high energy."

Davis said financial barriers can sometimes make it hard for players who want to get into the sport.

"It's been a sport that's required financial means to be able to participate at a very high level," Davis said. "Now, as the game is growing in the country, you see a lot more opportunities for kids to get involved, to be able to receive a high level of coaching, and be able to kind of join this pathway that we speak about.

"In particular, with our academy we have almost 1,500 players now, from all levels, down to 7- and 8-year-olds all the way up to our 18- and 19-year-old players."

VIP Cocktails start at 5 p.m., with the main cocktail reception and registration starting at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and the program starts at 7 p.m.

Single tickets are $250 each, with a table of 10 selling for $2,500. Click Here for more information or to purchase tickets.