Candlelighters, this is our chance to make a BIG impact—and we need your votes—every day from August 15-30 to make it happen!
WHAT IS IT?
Portland Thorns’ Sam Hiatt was nominated for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award and she chose Candlelighters as the Thorns’ charity partner. Now, we’re competing in the NWSL Fan Impact Challenge against other amazing nonprofits throughout the national women’s soccer league. The top prize? $10,000 to support Candlelighters!
HOW WE WIN
- Vote for Sam daily, one vote per device from August 15–30 here (Bookmark the voting page)
- Use our toolkit below to spread the news! Grab text and pre-made images to post on your own channels
- Share our posts on social media and tag friends and family
- Email or message your network to get them voting too
Voting is quick, free, and open to all ages—one vote per person, per device, every day, from August 15–30. No need to be over 18 unless you want to enter the sweepstakes.
Every single vote brings us closer to $10,000 for Candlelighters families! Let’s rally together, show our PNW spirit, and bring this win home for Candlelighters!
TOOLKIT
National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL) Lauren Holiday Fan Impact Award Voting Toolkit
August 15 – 30, 2025
Link for Daily Voting: NWSL Impact Award Voting Link
Timeline:
8/15/25: Voting link goes live
8/20 & 8/27: Weekly standings shared
8/30: Voting link closes
9/2: Winner announced
How your vote can help Candlelighters Win $10,000!
All clubs in the league (14 total) will be competing to get the most votes for their charities. The team that gets the most votes will receive $10,000, courtesy of Nationwide, for their charity. We are asking all of our supporters, families, colleagues and friends to help us win these vital funds. Voting is quick, free, and open to all ages—one vote per person, every day, from August 15–30. No need to be over 18 unless you want to enter the sweepstakes. Only ONE vote per day/per device will count towards the nominee total. Help Spread the Word to Your Networks!
Social Media
Like, Share and Tag
Instagram
Candlelighters – @candlelightersoregon
Sam Hiatt – @sam.hiatt
Portland Thorns FC – @thornsfc
Rose City Riveters – @rosecityriveters
NWSL – @nwsl
Facebook
Candlelighters – @OregonCandlelighters
Portland Thorns FC – @thornsFC
Rose City Riveters – @RoseCityRiveters
NWSL – @NWSL
Hashtags to use:
#PNWStrong #Candlelighters #ThornsFC #ChildhoodCancer #NWSLImpact
Sample Social Media Posts & Captions
*Refer to links at the bottom of this section for inserting the link
- Candlelighters For Children With Cancer needs your help to win $10,000 to bring hope and support to kids with childhood cancer! Vote daily for Sam Hiatt from the Portland Thorns from August 15 – 30.
- Sam Hiatt of the Portland Thorns has selected Candlelighters for Children with Cancer for this year’s Lauren Impact Award Fan Challenge!
- Help Candlelighters win $10,000 by voting daily from August 15 – 30 to bring hope and support for kids with cancer, Voting is quick, free, and open to all ages!
- From August 15 – 30, fans can vote once a day per device for Sam Hiatt of the Portland Thorns in support of Candlelighters for Children with Cancer. The nominee with the most votes will win $10,000, which would go directly to supporting families through the journey of childhood cancer!
For Instagram: Put the link to the voting page (https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8395011/nwsl-lauren-holiday-impact-award) in your profile bio, and include in caption: “Check out the link in my bio
For Facebook: Include in caption: Vote for Sam here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8395011/nwsl-lauren-holiday-impact-award
Social Media Graphics
Click on the image below you want to use
Once the image opens, right click and select “save image as.” The image will save as a .jpg file to your downloads folder.
Sample Email:
Hello [Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to invite you to take part in this year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award Fan Challenge in support of Candlelighters For Children With Cancer. Sam Hiatt of the Portland Thorns has chosen Candlelighters For Children With Cancer as her organization for this year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award nominee and if we win, Candlelighters will receive $10,000!
From August 15–30, you can vote once a day per device on the NWSL voting page. The nominee with the most votes will win $10,000 from Nationwide, which will go directly to Candlelighters for Children with Cancer to provide financial assistance, in-hospital meals, support groups, scholarships, and more for families facing childhood cancer.
Your daily vote can make a huge difference for kids and families facing childhood cancer. Thank you for helping us make an impact!
Warm regards,
[Name]
Sample Text:
Friends! Help Candlelighters for Children With Cancer win $10,000 through the Portland Thorns Lauren Holiday Fan Impact Award. Vote once a day for Sam Hiatt from August 15 – August 30. NWSL voting page These funds will go a long way in helping families battling pediatric cancer.
Additional Information:
About Candlelighters
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer has been Here for Hope since 1977, when five families found each other in hospital hallways while their children faced cancer. What began as a shared need for comfort and understanding has grown into a lifeline for families across Oregon and SW Washington. Over the organization’s 48 year history, over 100,000 families have been served. Candlelighters provides both practical support and meaningful connection through emergency financial assistance, in-hospital programs, and creating welcoming spaces for parents, siblings, and youth impacted by childhood cancer.