As a soccer player, you do whatever it takes to improve your game. Your on-the-field effort is top-notch! But check this out, the Loudoun Soccer U16 ECNL girls team is taking that to a new level. Theyโre putting in as much effort on the field as off.ย
This summer, the team is taking the leadership skills they learned on the soccer pitch to make a difference in their community. Seeing the food insecurity deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic in their home community of Leesburg, Virginia, the team created a charity marathon called Kickin Hunger. The charity will raise funds for Feeding America, a national organization that helps local food banks in America.ย
Hereโs how their fundraiser works: each of the girls on the team will run 26.2 milesโthe length of a marathonโover the course of two weeks. Each girl is asking for donations as sponsorship for them to complete the marathon over the two-week period. And, none of them have ever run a marathon before! 100% of the donations they collect will be given to Feeding America.ย
These girls are doing something bigger than the game by helping out their own community. โPlaying competitive soccer in the ECNL is a great opportunity to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Itโs neat to see them use these skills to organize and communicate off the field in a meaningful way to lead a community effort,โ says Evans Malyi, Director of Girls ECNL at Loudoun Soccer.
Donations for Kickin Hunger close this Friday, August 5. Intending to raise $20,000, the team has already raised a little over $17,500. But with only a few days left, theyโre still looking to fulfill their donation goal! You can donate to Kickin Hunger here and help the Loudoun Soccer U16 ECNL girls make a difference.ย
Check out their Instagram Takeover Here!
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