Notes from our Troops!!!!!!

Here are two recent notes we received from our troops who distribute your donations. They give us all incentive to continue with this worthy project!

The first was received after a shipment of Soccer balls to Chaplain Simmons in Afghanistan!



And this letter is from Chaplain Bartels who is stationed in Iraq:


Many thanks to Chaplain Simmons & Chaplain Bartels and to all of our troops. We appreciate all you do everyday to serve our country and the extra time you put in to help the Iraqi children as well.

Olmstead Falls Boys Soccer Team, Olmstead Ohio

The Olmstead Falls Boys Soccer Team, from Olmstead Ohio, and Head Soccer Coach James Walchanowicz have made a very generous donation to Eric's Goal!

Their contribution of 61 jerseys and 37 pair of shorts will be sent to Iraq in care of Chaplain Englehardt, for distribution to the Iraqi children.

Coach Walchanowicz is also helping us to locate soccer nets to donate to the Iraqi children. Chaplain Englehardt's commander has requested nets for goals they are making for a soccer field for the Iraqi people. We will keep you posted on the progress in this area. Any photos received will be posted as well.

Thank you Olmstead Falls Boys Soccer Team and Coach Walchanowicz! We are proud to have so many fine young Americans join us in this project to help the Iraqi children and bolster Iraqi and American relationships!

List of donations

We've listed the people who have made donations for Eric's Goal here but we also wanted to give an update on exactly what has been donated. There will be a permanent link to this list under Links on the left side of the page.

We did not achieve 5,000 balls by the end of 2006 but we continue to collect soccer balls and other equipment to send to Iraqi children through our troops in the field. Here is the very impressive list of donated equipment:

Soccer balls: 3,567
Pumps 96
Pairs of indoor shoes or cleats: 211
Shin guards: 163
Team vests: 70
Cones: 57
Net bags: 24
Cloth bags: 15
Goalie Gloves: 32
Socks: 408
Jerseys: 789
Jackets: 9
Shorts: 905
Pants: 13
T-shirts: 296
Corner flags: 1
Electric pumps: 1
Trophies: 4
Kids soccer kit: 1
Athletic supports: 1
Medals: 63
Compression sleeve: 1
Donations: $8,216.24 (used to pay postage and purchase equipment)

Thanks for all of the generosity!

Last updated: 2/15/08