A Small Token Can Have a Huge Impact

There are many websites and organizations currently working hard to send aid and relief to victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake disaster. There are also an awesome organization, Kick Back to Kids who realizes the impact of what a soccer ball can have on children, especially in times of devastation. Kick back to Kids knows the strength of soccer and the ability it has to reunite groups despite life’s setbacks. Children in Haiti have lost their food, shelter, and clothing; Kick Back to Kids is working to raise money and soccer ball donations (both new and used) so that each child in Haiti can at least have their own soccer ball. For more information on Kick Back to Kids or to donate to the organization, please contact Cassandra Mowatt at mowattc@gmail.com

Another organization, Charity Ball, started by 10-year old Ethan King is working to raise money, soccer balls and awareness for children in Africa. After visiting northern Mozambique and realizing that most children have never had the opportunity to play or even see a real soccer ball, Ethan decided to start a program with the goal of getting these children their own quality soccer ball. To donate to Charity Ball, contact Ethan by emailing him at king.lorie@gmail.com

Soccer Balls for Haiti - People Making a Difference, which was started by Kim and Chris Foote began donating soccer balls to schools in Haiti beginning in 2008. The program began as a Sports for Social Change initiative to convey the power of sports to minimize the effects of poverty of youth. Sports give children affected by a conflict or disaster the chance to be children again and give them a “can do” attitude which is essential to their education and development. The Foote’s have been collecting donations of soccer balls, pumps, shoes and uniforms nationwide, and have a shipper in NY that is taking everything Haiti for Soccer Balls for Haiti. To donate to Soccer Balls for Haiti, contact Tracy Foote (1seagull@comcast.net)