Soccer equipment donated to Iraqi children - Shipment of more than 10,000 soccer items arrived at BIAP

Courtesy Photo | Workers help unload a shipment of more than 10,000 soccer items, donated to the Iraqi children by Colorado Rush's Rush Equipment Assisting Children (REACH) Soccer Program, at the Baghdad International Airport, Aug. 30. The program donated soccer balls, jerseys, t-shirts, socks, shoes and other soccer supplies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Cpl. Darhonda Rodela)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.30.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

By Marine Cpl. Darhonda Rodela
Multi-National Corps-Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- More than 10,000 soccer-related items donated to Iraqi children by Colorado Rush's Rush Equipment Assisting Children Soccer Program arrived Aug. 30 at Baghdad International Airport.

Large boxes of soccer balls, jerseys, T-shirts, socks, shoes and other soccer supplies arrived and were unloaded and prepared for further shipping.

"The program has been a long evolution of collecting soccer equipment from Colorado," explained Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Charles MacKenzie, military liaison for humanitarian assistance in Baghdad, 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion.

According to the Colorado Rush Web site, www.coloradorush.com, REACH is a program that collects used or unwanted soccer equipment from community members to give to underprivileged children throughout the world.

Colorado Rush is a youth soccer program based in Littleton, Colo.

MacKenzie said the final evolution of the program will be distributing the gear among Iraq's children.

Mike Douglas, SkyLink Arabia air and logistic support director and chief executive officer, said SkyLink was requested to transport the gear to Iraq.

SkyLink, which provides aerial transportation support to Iraq, has supported the shipping of reconstruction, humanitarian and medical equipment.

"This shipment (of soccer balls) is different from the rest of the shipments we have done because it will be seen by the Iraqi youth," Douglas said. "They will actually be able to use what we give them."

Soccer, known as football to Iraqis, is a recognized sport among the natives.

"This shipment will help promote the sport Iraqi people love and give it to the children," MacKenzie said. "Inside these boxes, there is anything you need to play or learn soccer."

• Date Taken: 08.30.2007
• Date Posted: 09.08.2007 08:08
• Story ID: 12245
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ