“Any time I play soccer, it feels like home, and that has been a constant no matter where or who I play with. The universal love of the game is what connects us all, no matter how close or far we may be. Through soccer, I have learned the importance of hard work, grit, teamwork, and above all, loving what you do.

I am a freshman in high school now, and I’ve been playing soccer for almost 10 years. As a kid, I played soccer just to try it out, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve met some of my best friends, learned so many life lessons, and found something that never fails to make me smile. I have faced many challenges and pressures through the years, but never lost sight of what was most important: how much fun I was having.

My sister ran the first donation drive to GOALS Haiti, and this year I was excited to help out. I remember seeing the pictures of people in Haiti wearing our jerseys, and it felt so great to see them in uniforms that my community once wore and loved. It is a great feeling to be able to share something that I love so much and give other young athletes the opportunity to grow and learn through the game.

GOALS Haiti is an organization that I am so happy to be supporting; from what it stands for and what it does for so many people. I hope that the equipment we have gathered can allow kids like me to enjoy the game and learn all the important lessons that I take with me everywhere I go. Soccer has certainly changed my life for the better in so many ways, and I hope that that can happen for lots of other people too. I will continue to support GOALS Haiti because our world needs more love and unity, and there is no better way to do it than through the beautiful game.” - Ellie