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Fans can vote once daily per device through August 29 to support Bixby’s work with Portland-based nonprofit Friends of Trees
PORTLAND, Ore. (August 14, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that fans can now vote in the Fan Impact Challenge for goalkeeper Bella Bixby — Portland’s nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide — to support her community service and local impact efforts off-the-pitch. Fans are invited to show their support for Bixby starting today, August 14, by visiting HERE and are encouraged to vote daily on every device through August 29.
Bixby chose to advocate for Friends of Trees, a Portland-based nonprofit focused on expanding and caring for the urban forest across the Pacific Northwest, through her nomination. Through her volunteer work with the organization, Bixby has seen firsthand the impact of community-driven environmental action, reinforcing her commitment to building healthier communities for her daughter and future generations.
Since her nomination, Bixby and the Portland Thorns have partnered with Friends of Trees on several community initiatives, including a neighborhood tree planting event in Southeast Portland and a seedball-making workshop with local community members, with additional activations planned throughout the remainder of the season.
As part of Bixby’s nomination, Nationwide has donated $5,000 to Friends of Trees. The nominee with the most votes will be announced as the winner of the 2026 Fan Impact Challenge on September 2, and the charitable organization of that player’s choice will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Nationwide. Only one vote per day per device will be counted.
The Portland Thorns match on Saturday, August 22 vs Denver Summit FC has also been designated as a Lauren Holiday Impact Award Appreciation Match to celebrate the incredible work being done by Bixby and Friends of Trees. Kickoff is set for 5:45 pm PT
Raised in Oregon, Bella grew up with a deep connection to the outdoors and an early
understanding that caring for the earth is foundational to caring for communities. That passion led her to pursue additional education opportunities at Oregon State University in Fish and Wildlife Administration, where she deepened her understanding of the intersection between environmental health, human well-being, and community equity.
This perspective has become central to her “why”: environmental health and human well-being are inseparable, with environmental conditions directly shaping health and opportunity, especially in communities that have historically been underserved. As a mother, this commitment is even more personal. She views environmental stewardship as both a present responsibility and a long-term investment in the next generation, ensuring access to clean air, thriving green spaces, and a healthy, sustainable world.
About Friends of Trees
Friends of Trees is a community-driven nonprofit focused on expanding and caring for the urban forest across the Pacific Northwest. Through volunteer-powered tree plantings and stewardship efforts, the organization works to restore neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas while increasing tree canopy in both urban and underserved communities. Their work supports climate resilience, improves air and water quality, and enhances overall community well-being. In addition to planting trees, Friends of Trees emphasizes education, long-term care, and community engagement - empowering individuals to take an active role in creating greener, healthier, and more equitable environments for future generations. To learn more, head to friendsoftrees.org.
About the Lauren Holiday Impact Award
The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, recognizes NWSL players for outstanding service and character off the pitch, spotlighting those who exemplify dedication and commitment to giving back to their local communities. The recipient of this year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award will be honored during NWSL Championship weekend, and Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner’s choice. The Lauren Holiday Impact Award was introduced in 2024 to honor the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday. To learn more, click here.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
Fans can vote once daily per device through August 29 to support Bixby’s work with Portland-based nonprofit Friends of Trees
PORTLAND, Ore. (August 14, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that fans can now vote in the Fan Impact Challenge for goalkeeper Bella Bixby — Portland’s nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide — to support her community service and local impact efforts off-the-pitch. Fans are invited to show their support for Bixby starting today, August 14, by visiting HERE and are encouraged to vote daily on every device through August 29.
Bixby chose to advocate for Friends of Trees, a Portland-based nonprofit focused on expanding and caring for the urban forest across the Pacific Northwest, through her nomination. Through her volunteer work with the organization, Bixby has seen firsthand the impact of community-driven environmental action, reinforcing her commitment to building healthier communities for her daughter and future generations.
Since her nomination, Bixby and the Portland Thorns have partnered with Friends of Trees on several community initiatives, including a neighborhood tree planting event in Southeast Portland and a seedball-making workshop with local community members, with additional activations planned throughout the remainder of the season.
As part of Bixby’s nomination, Nationwide has donated $5,000 to Friends of Trees. The nominee with the most votes will be announced as the winner of the 2026 Fan Impact Challenge on September 2, and the charitable organization of that player’s choice will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Nationwide. Only one vote per day per device will be counted.
The Portland Thorns match on Saturday, August 22 vs Denver Summit FC has also been designated as a Lauren Holiday Impact Award Appreciation Match to celebrate the incredible work being done by Bixby and Friends of Trees. Kickoff is set for 5:45 pm PT
Raised in Oregon, Bella grew up with a deep connection to the outdoors and an early
understanding that caring for the earth is foundational to caring for communities. That passion led her to pursue additional education opportunities at Oregon State University in Fish and Wildlife Administration, where she deepened her understanding of the intersection between environmental health, human well-being, and community equity.
This perspective has become central to her “why”: environmental health and human well-being are inseparable, with environmental conditions directly shaping health and opportunity, especially in communities that have historically been underserved. As a mother, this commitment is even more personal. She views environmental stewardship as both a present responsibility and a long-term investment in the next generation, ensuring access to clean air, thriving green spaces, and a healthy, sustainable world.
About Friends of Trees
Friends of Trees is a community-driven nonprofit focused on expanding and caring for the urban forest across the Pacific Northwest. Through volunteer-powered tree plantings and stewardship efforts, the organization works to restore neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas while increasing tree canopy in both urban and underserved communities. Their work supports climate resilience, improves air and water quality, and enhances overall community well-being. In addition to planting trees, Friends of Trees emphasizes education, long-term care, and community engagement - empowering individuals to take an active role in creating greener, healthier, and more equitable environments for future generations. To learn more, head to friendsoftrees.org.
About the Lauren Holiday Impact Award
The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, recognizes NWSL players for outstanding service and character off the pitch, spotlighting those who exemplify dedication and commitment to giving back to their local communities. The recipient of this year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award will be honored during NWSL Championship weekend, and Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner’s choice. The Lauren Holiday Impact Award was introduced in 2024 to honor the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday. To learn more, click here.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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