ECAC Partners with Brine Corp for Charity

Interim Commissioner Steve Bamford (left) and Director of Championships Gothard Lane (right), fill a box with soccer balls for "Eric's Goal".

Gothard Lane, Director of Championships at the Eastern College Athletic Conference in Centerville, MA, first received word of Eric's Goal through his niece, Marine Corps First Lieutenant Ruth Wilson, who is currently stationed in Fallujah, Iraq. Gothard then contacted us via e-mail and within a week began partnering with Brine Corp to send soccer balls to our headquarters for shipment to the Iraqi kids.

We have received 25 soccer balls thus far from ECAC & Brine Corp. and these were mailed to SFC John Lucas who will distribute them to the Iraqi children. Thank you to SFC Lucas for joining our team as well!

Gothard then posted an article on the ECAC website and posted Eric's Goal contact information for others who wish to contribute soccer balls to the Iraqi children. (www.ecac.org)

Below is an excerpt from the website:
Steve Bamford, Interim Commissioner of the ECAC stated “The program provides a recreational outlet from the harsh environment. It’s also a great way for the troops to interact with the locals as they learn from each other through sport.”

As of today we have reached a total of 3,049 soccer balls sent to our U.S. military men and women for distribution to the Iraqi children!

Our deepest appreciation to Gothard Lane, Steve Bamford, the ECAC and Brine Corp. for your contributions! And our sincere thanks to Gothard's niece First Leiutenant Ruth Wilson who has taken the time out of her hectic schedule to think of helping the Iraqi children, and to SFC John Lucas for distributing the soccer balls to the Iraqi kids!

Military Moms & Dads Luncheon at UNO,s Harbor Place in Baltimore, MD

Many thanks to Lite 101.9 FM radio and UNO's Harbor Place in Baltimore for sponsoring the Military Mom's & Dad's Luncheon on Feb. 11, 2007. Steve Rouse from Lite 101.9 invited us to come to represent Eric's Goal. My sister Helen & I gratefully attended. It was wonderful to meet the proud parents of some of our finest young men and women; those dedicated to protecting us and our freedoms by serving in the United States Military. We met parents of service men & women in various branches of the military; Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.

It was a pleasure to be able to represent Eric’s Goal and to network with other parents who are working on goals to support not only our troops, but their families as well. We were so impressed by Becky Campbell, founder of Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund (www.childrenoffallensoldiersrelieffund.org), who has put her heart and soul into a project to help those not as fortunate as she and I. Fortunately Becky’s son returned from his tour in Iraq. But Becky has not forgotten about those who have lost their loved ones. She continues to be present for families of fallen members of our military, those who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for the good of us all. We learned about America Supports You and TAPS, and met Jamie, a young woman who wants to start a support group for military family members of those serving in Iraq and other combat zones.

Many people showed an interest in Eric's Goal and took information with them. One attendee even made a monetary donation; Linda Collins donated $20.00! I am sure we will be able to reach our goal of 5,000 soccer balls with the help of the many wonderful families in our communities who support our troops and want to have a positive impact on the Iraqi children as well.