Cheryl Durgin, who is Eric's cousin, teaches at The Odyssey School in Stevenson, Maryland. Cheryl and the students at her school started collecting soccer balls for Eric's Goal a couple of months ago. The children were very involved, making posters to place in the hallway, writing letters to companies to request donations, and asking friends and family for new or used soccer balls and or equipment for the Iraqi children. Although their original goal was for 50 soccer balls, the students far exceeded that amount. The Odyssey School actually collected 119 soccer balls! They also received donations of 2 pair of soccer shorts, 1 pair of soccer pants and $50.00 toward shipping costs!
While visiting Eric in Tennessee earlier this month, Ginny video taped a short message from Eric to the students. Eric had planned to visit the children at their school but he is unable to be in Maryland at this time. So Virginia and I added to Eric's video and created a little power point presentation about Eric's Goal and about all of you, our generous contributors! The students and staff were so welcoming and helpful. One student took photographs and another handled the technical aspects of our slide show. The students enjoyed learning more about Eric and his goal. They especially liked the message Eric gave at the end of the presentation.
Afterwards, a group of students wheeled out two huge boxes of soccer balls and presented them to us! It was fantastic. We continued to be amazed by the generosity of our fellow citizens, young and old, from near and far. It warms the heart to know that this generation of children care so much about others and will do their best to make an Iraqi child's life a little better!
Many thanks to Cheryl and to all the staff and especially the students of The Odyssey School! Our thanks to Cheryl also for volunteering her time and effort to help pack up the soccer balls for shipment to Iraq.
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