Passback Star: Zach Wellwerts
Wellwerts, a 17-year-old from McHenry, Ill., organized a Passback collection at the Libertyville Cup, held by the Greater Libertyville Soccer Association (GLSA) earlier this summer. Over a three-day collection period, he received 300 pieces of equipment.
Places to Learn: So. Cal. Youth Soccer Organization
Joe Supe knew that the “F” he saw next to several courses on the boy’s report card stood for failing, not fabuloso, as the boy had told his parents. Yet the parents, who could not speak or read English and were unfamiliar with the American school system, were none the wiser. That is until Supe and the Southern California Youth Soccer Organization (SCYSO) identified the problem and stepped in to remedy the situation.
Passback Collection: MVP Healthcare
MVP Health Care was looking to add something special to their summer KidPower Soccer Series last year to teach children about the importance of giving back while they learned about healthy lifestyles from one of the best in the game, Abby Wambach. The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Passback Program proved to be the perfect fit and soon there were Passback equipment collections at each event.
Rundown Court Shines Again As Soccer Field
The blacktop court at Raintree Park in Vista, California was barren and lonely. All of the action was at the nearby soccer fields where children crowded the space and arrived early with the hopes of getting a chance to play.
Soccer In (and Off!) the Streets
Soccer in the Streets – an Atlanta-based non-profit group that develops soccer, educational and life-skills programs for children in disadvantaged urban communities across the nation – recently installed FieldTurf on a previously hard-surfaced field (originally built in 2003) to create a “Mini-Pitch” in the City of Sandy Springs, Ga., thanks to a grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
Professional Squads Participate in the Passback Program
All MLS and WPS soccer teams allocate at least one day in their busy schedules to participate in the Passback Program, but this year, two squads stood above the rest: the LA Galaxy (MLS) and the Chicago Red Stars (WPS).
U.S. Soccer Foundation and RUBB Building Systems Announce Partnership
The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., and Rubb Building Systems, worldwide leader in membrane-covered frame structures, today announced a multi-year partnership. Rubb joins the Foundation’s Partners Resource Center as its National Partner for Indoor Soccer Facility Structures.
Jacob’s GOAL – The “Philanthro-Party” That Raised $8K
Inspired by his passion for soccer, Jacob Wolf Price decided that in lieu of a traditional Jewish Bar Mitzvah he would celebrate his Jewish rite of passage by planning a community soccer event that raised more than $8,000 to benefit Hollywood Police Activities League (PAL). The event, coined the “Philanthro-party,” featured a scrimmage and a presentation of in-kind donations, including soccer balls, uniforms and safety equipment. Sponsors for the event were the U.S. Soccer Foundation, LA Galaxy, Fox Soccer Channel, The David Beckham Academy, Whole Foods, adidas and many more.
