Tricia Davis' Cub Scout Den, Millersville, MD collects for ERIC's GOAL!

Mrs. Tricia Davis' Millersville Cub Scout Den collected soccer balls and items for Iraqi children earlier this year. Their donations along with another, were sent to Airman Mike Songer who recently helped to distribute them to children in orphanages in Iraq. Mike is working on getting copies of the photos taken during the delivery and we will post them when received!

Thank you to Tricia Davis and her Cub Scout Den! There should be many excited Iraqi children playing with you donated goods at this very moment!

Below is a list of the items collected:

Soccer Balls: 36

Pairs of Socks: 89

Net Bag: 1

Cleats: 27

Shin Guards: 16

Goalie Gloves: 1

Jerseys: 58

Pennies: 5

Pair of Shorts: 25

T-shirts: 11

Donations from Ashley & Sarah in Pennsylvania!!

A big "Thank You" to Ashley & Sarah for collecting donations for Eric's Goal! They worked at their collection for months and we were finally able to meet Ashley's Dad to pick up their generous donations! They did a great job of deflating the balls and packing them in boxes that are easy to ship. The following items were collected by these young ladies and will be enjoyed by children in Africa and/or Iraq.

Soccer Balls: 58
Socks: 29
Shin guards: 19
Cleats: 46
T-Shirts: 11
Jerseys: 56
Pennies: 32
Cones: 36
Shorts: 45
Sweat Pants: 4
Pug Goals: 2
Ball Bags: 1
Monetary donations: $150.00

We will be completing the custom forms and sending your donations out within the next several weeks. Thank you again to Ashley & Sarah, for a job well done!

(updated 12-08-09 from re-count)

Thank you letter from Iraq!

We recently received this lovely e-mail from one of the Chaplains in Iraq who we sent soccer balls and equipment to.

Dear Eric's Goal:

Please accept my attached "Thank you Letter" for both, your prayers and the care packages that you provided to our Soldiers in the past year. I want to take this moment before leaving this country after a 12 month deployment from Iraq to thank you for your love, prayers, and the time and effort that you put into sending items for our Soldiers. As we continue our mission in Iraq it is a blessing to receive support from home. We are able to take the items that you sent along with other boxes and distribute them to service members in our unit. Although you may receive no contact from individual Soldiers, please know that each of your care packages were appreciated and that we thank you for thinking of us during this time. Thank you for your powerful prayers for our Soldiers and all the support you have provided.

May God bless you.

CH (CPT) SANG H. KIM
1-77th Field Artillery Battalion "Falcons First"

DONATIONS FROM PETE NOEL, LANGHORNE PA & THE GRAY AND GUENTHER FAMILIES

Pete Noel has helped us all again this year by collecting more soccer balls and equipment. This time they will be sent to our military men and women in Africa for distribution to the children there. Many will go to kids in orphanages.

Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Pete Noel for meeting me to deliver the goods. And thank you to the Gray and Guenther families from Langhorne PA for their donations. Many children will enjoy the fruits of your labor! Just picture the smiles you are creating.

Above is a list of donated items provided by Pete Noel. Thank you again!

FREEDOM TEAM SALUTE

A few months ago I received an envelope in the mail addressed to me from the U.S. Army. I was not only surprised by the contents, but truly humbled. I found a Freedom Team Salute Certificate of Appreciation and a letter from General George W. Casey, Jr.!

I accept this wonderful salute on your behalf, in your honor. There would be no Eric's Goal without all of you who have collected, contributed, sorted and packed all of the donations we have received over the past few years.

An Army lapel pin was also enclosed and I wear this pin with pride as it was offered: "as a statement of our shared commitment to support America's Soldiers."

Thank you all for your generosity and kindness in supporting our American military and the children of this world. Together we can make a difference.

LETTER FROM COL. MIKE MOURI

We have been most fortunate to have contact with some very amazing people. Col. Mike Mouri is one of them! He has taken the time to write a hand written thank you note for the soccer supplies we have sent to him. The donations have been given to children in orphanages located in the Horn of Africa. His note is copied her so than you may all know the appreciation of these children and of our military men and women.

Many thanks to Col. Mouri and his soldiers for all that they do on a daily basis.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND AFRICA

What an honor to receive this certificate and these incredible letters. Our donations that have been shipped to Africa have been appreciated by many! The Operation Enduring Freedom Certificate of Appreciation above is for all who have contributed to Eric's Goal, as are the attached letters.

How humbling to have Col. Christopher G. Torelli and MSG John W. Capuzzzo take the time to write to us on Memorial Day. We do have an amazing military force that work daily to protect and serve and even go the extra mile to provide services to those less fortunate and then take the time to say thank you to us at home for our support.

Many thanks to our Special Operations Command in the Horn of Africa and to all of our military men and women!