Sneakers

Americans send sneakers, soccer balls to Iraqi children

Americans send sneakers, soccer balls to Iraqi children: "'I think soccer is a very good sport for people to play, and since they have nothing to do, I thought they might like it,' said 1st grader Daniel Raftis.

U.S. Army Combat Medic, Justin Donnelly, who graduated from Owego Free Academy agreed.
He's on a break, stationed in Iraq.

Donnelly says Iraqi children light up when the soldiers bring them soccer balls.

'These kids run around with no shoes and nothing to do, and they're the future of Iraq. If we can get them to open up to Americans, not just the troops, it will go a long way in terms of democracy,' Donnelly said.

When local businesses heard about the Hiawatha Soccer Teams mission to collect soccer balls they stepped in.

Lockheed Martin in Owego donated these 40 brand new balls.

But, the Iraqi children aren't just getting soccer balls, they're also getting sneakers.
Lisa Da-Cunha Koski bought the sneakers at a Salvation Army.

'I hope that in the long run when the children are older they they'll remember that some Americans care about Iraqi's, and not everyone is out to hurt them and destroy their environment,' Da-Cunha Koski said.

A group of anonymous people have donated money to have both the sneakers and soccer balls sent to Donnelly in Iraq."

posted by Eugen @ 10:07 AM