Ian Bilofsky's Bar Mitzvah Project

Ian Bilofsky's Bar Mitzvah is scheduled for June 21, 2008. We thank you Ian for choosing Eric's Goal for your project. Your efforts will help so many of the Iraqi children by providing soccer clothing, soccer balls & equipment, even coaching kits!

Thus far Ian has collected the following items:

Cones - 122
Coaching starter bags - 8 (each containing 10 sm. cones, 1 ball pump, 1 whistle, and a coaching and playing rule guide)
Nets - 2
Jerseys - 55
Soccer Balls - 10
Pinies - 5
Shorts - 11
Soccer t-shirts - 2
Soccer cleates - 2 pr
Socks - 17 pair
Shin Guards - 2 pr
Matching Medals - 39

Monetary Donations thus far, $831.00

The checks Ian has sent have already helped cover the postage costs of shipping donated items to Iraq. Often we have contributions but must wait for monetary donations in order to mail the packages.

We will be shipping over 30 boxes to Iraq this week, containing over 350 soccer balls for the Iraqi children. The donations you collected have made this possible!

Thank you Ian for all that you do! Congratulations on your Bar Mitzvah!

Mission Soccer Ball Update- WIVT/WBGH Newschannel34

We have received 370 additional soccer balls from Bob Giacalone purchased with donations received from his efforts with Mission Soccer Ball, in Binghamton, NY.

Mission Soccer Ball - WIVT/WBGH Newschannel34

Bob gave us a stack of Dick's Sporting Goods $5.00 coupons when we picked up the donations in New York. Today we were able to use them to purchase 13 pumps. The coupons brought the cost to under $10 for all of them!

We are packing up the soccer balls into smaller boxes for mailing to our soldiers in Iraq. We will send one pump to each of the 11 military personel we are shipping to.

Thanks to Ian Bilofsky's collection (see next post), we will be able to ship over 30 boxes out this week!

Thank you everyone for your continued support with Mission Soccer Ball!

Sam Schwartz' collection for the Iraqi children!!!!

Sam Schwartz is pictured above with the many donations he collected for his Bar Mitzvah project! We are so proud of Sam for finding such a selfless project that will benefit so many children in Iraq!

Below are Sam's totals:

Soccer Cleats/Shoes: 28 pair
Shin Guards: 9 pr
Socks: 26 pair
Shorts: 19
Shirts: 26
Soccer Balls: 5

Thank you Sam for giving your time and efforts to this project, from researching ideas to contacting our organization, to collecting donations, to delivering them to our door (with your Dad's help by driving of course!). You are a fine example of what our young Americans can be!

Congratulations on your Bar Mitzvah!

Updated totals 3/08/08
We received another box of donations from Sam and have added in the additional items above. Thanks again Sam!

MISSION SOCCER BALL - Binghamton, New York

MISSION SOCCER BALL was headed by Jim Ehmke,News Director – CHANNEL 34 in Binghamton, NY
and Bob Giacalone (AKA Hockey Bob).
Their drive on April 24 & 25th brought in many soccer balls and equipment for the Iraqi children. See the amazing list below!
Totals:

Soccer Balls – 391
Pennies – 251
Pumps – 17
Soccer Shoes – 14 pr
Shin Guards – 2 pr
Ankle Guards – 1 pr
Socks – 3 pr
Monetary Donations - $150.00

Many thanks to all who participated in Mission Soccer Ball! Your donations have been shipped in 20 boxes to American soldiers stationed in Iraq. They will be distributing all soccer donations to the Iraqi children for you.

A special thanks to Jim Ehmke, Channel 34 News Director, and his wonderful family, and to Bob & Marie Giacalone for their tremendous efforts. Bob has worked diligently throughout this drive and has promised another 350 soccer balls to be delivered directly to Eric’s Goal here in Baltimore, MD! Bob & Marie also helped to pack the boxes and write up customs forms. And Jim and his wife and son helped deflate the balls while his little daughter calmly watched everyone at their tasks, while seated in her stroller. Jim had everything set up for packing; a room, table, and even boxes.

Also a special thanks to Cookie Kopec, Shirley Crook and Jeanne Redifer who traveled to Binghamton, NY with me to pack up the donations, address them and write up custom forms for 20 boxes! Thanks to my husband Nick for taking the boxes to the post office on Monday and mailing them!

Our sincere thanks to Donna Lupardo, Binghamton Giant Market, Inc. in Johnson City and to Nancy Soderstrom for their monetary donations of $50.00 each which will help cover the fees for postage.

Three Cheers for this highly successful soccer ball drive in Binghamton, NY, and for the entire team for pulling it off successfully - and all for the Iraqi Children!

Channel 34, Binghamton, NY - *** Soccer Ball Drive ***

Eric's Goal has been chosen to partner with News Channel 34 in Binghamton, NY for a soccer ball drive for the Iraqi children! Please see the link below.

http://www.newschannel34.com/content/missionsoccerball/default.aspx

Our thanks to Jim Ehmke, News Director, and News Channel 34 for this great opportunity!

We will post an update after the drive!

Message from Andres on his return to the U.S.A.!

It was a great pleasure to receive a recent e-mail from our friend Andres! He is home from serving in Iraq and is enjoying spending time with family and friends. Below are a few photos of Andres. The first is Andres handing out soccer balls in Iraq, on his birthday!





Here is an excerpt from Andres e-mail, with a message to all of you:

"I wanted to forward you these pictures of me handing out soccer balls in Iraq. I have since returned to the United States and I am now looking forward to spending more time with my family. Handing out soccer balls and being a part of "Eric's Goal" gave me great pride within the last year. Thank you Trudy, and thank you to everyone who has contributed to "Eric's Goal" for your hard work, your thoughts, and your prayers."

Thank you Andres, we are so proud of you!!!!!!!

Monetary Donations make Shipping Possible

Our thanks to Mr. & Mrs Gordon Gehring, Bernard & Helen Kopec and Michelle & Rick Morsberger for contributing toward postage for sending the soccer goal nets to Captain Cunningham in Iraq. Your generosity eases the burden of covering the cost of postage in sending the 8 boxes (9 nets total) to our soldiers for the soccer goals they have built.

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may send checks (payable to Eric's Goal) to the following address:

Eric's Goal
4115 4th Street
Baltimore, MD 21225

This address will change in May 2008 to:

Eric's Goal
3160 Sandy Hook Road
Street, MD 21225

In appreciation for all who donate to this cause -
Eric's Goal staff