Soccer mom Tricia Gage cringes at the end of each season when her children’s jerseys are added to their growing pile of soccer shirts that won’t be used again.
Each year, the local soccer club issues new team jerseys to all of its players, which remain theirs to keep.
They’re good quality shirts, but Gage says her children won’t wear them any more. So, rather than let them pile up any longer, she has found an organization that will put them to good use.
It’s the New Generations Ministries in Haiti, which cares for orphaned children.
“Kids in Haiti love to play soccer,” says Gage.
Until Dec. 19, she will be collecting surplus soccer jerseys, socks, shorts, shin guards, cleats and balls with drop-off points at several elementary schools, including 100 Mile, Horse Lake and Mile 108.
Canlan at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre will also accept jerseys, as will Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School and 100 Mile House Junior Secondary.
Gage says she is hoping to see jerseys that will fit teens in the mix, as they are the ones who are most often overlooked.
100 Mile Laundromat has offered to clean the shirts if necessary and Gage will transport everything to Vancouver for shipping after the collection deadline.
She says New Generation will take care of getting the goods to the children in Haiti, with no cost to her or those who make the donations.
