soccerloco recently donated boxes full of soccer balls to the Children’s Bureau Preschool for at-risk kids. The excitement in the children was undenia
soccerloco recently donated boxes full of soccer balls to the Children’s Bureau Preschool for at-risk kids. The excitement in the children was undeniable, and their smiles were contagious. Not only did the soccer balls encourage the kids to be active and healthy, but it also sparked an interest in soccer as a lifelong hobby.
The Children’s Bureau helps children live up to their fullest potential by providing prevention, treatment, research and advocacy services to families in need. They strive to enhance families’ lives by working closely with family members to develop a safe and nurturing living environment.
As the largest investor in child abuse prevention in the country, the Children’s Bureau is dedicated to strengthening the family bond and building caring communities. Many of the children that the Children’s Bureau works with have suffered from physical and emotional abuse. They do not receive a lot of presents and most of them do not have the resources to participate in team sports. All of us at soccerloco wanted to do anything we could to help.
Countless studies have shown the positive impact that sports can have on a child’s life. Whether it be teaching them to ignore doubters, improve communication skills, be a leader, or increasing their self-esteem, sports can have a profound impact on a child’s development. Many of us can speak to the positive influence that sports have had on our lives. Just look at our team at soccerloco – soccer played such a large role in our lives that we made it our career!
Most of the children that received the donation had never had the opportunity to play with or even hold a soccer ball. We cannot express how rewarding it was to watch these little boys and girls learn how to kick a ball, play pass with their friends, and score their first goal. After spending only a few hours with them, we can already tell that a few of them are well on their way towards becoming the next Messi or Neymar Jr.
We hope that these children find the same love for soccer (or any other team sport for that matter) that we did when we were their age. We hope that it can act as an outlet to any frustrations or problems that they may be facing in other areas of their lives. Sports teach children the value of integrity, honesty, and hard work. They encourage kids to set small goals for themselves, which in turn, exponentially increases their self-esteem. Setting small goals such as learning a new move or learning how to dribble may give them the extra boost in self-esteem that helps them stand up to a bully or better communicate their feelings. Better yet, they will make lifelong friends and teammates that will act as a constant support system both on and off the field.
With the help of soccerloco’s donation, the Children’s Bureau has increased their resources and materials essential for improving children’s lives. Although a soccer ball may seem like a small contribution, the impact was much bigger. We hope to continue partnering with Children’s Bureau on more similar opportunities in the future!
If you would like more information about the Children’s Bureau and the work that they do for local families and communities, refer to their website at www.all4kids.org. They are always in need of volunteers looking for hands-on experience with an awesome group of kids and families.