TheCalabrias.com

I found out the other day that Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) is donating $10 for every goal they broadcast towards the “Every Goal Saves a Life” campaign against Malaria.

After checking the campaign’s web site (http://www.malarianomore.org/), I decided to get involved by challenging the Gladiators – Lorenzo’s soccer team.

At the end of last practice, I explained to team what FSC was doing; I told them a little bit about Malaria; and I explained how easy it should be to prevent it – given the means.  Then I told them The Calabria Family will donate $1.00 for every goal they score towards the same campaign.  In other words, for every 10 goals the Gladiators score, we would be donating one mosquito net which could save a life of a kid in Africa.

Since we had 5 matches left,  I challenged them to score 50 goals between now and the end of the season. The kids were pumped!

Given the first two matches, I must admit that I did hesitate a little before announcing the challenge.  Even with four new “novice” players, the Gladiators have outscored their opponents 24 to 2.  And coach Matt and I have been struggling with giving everyone a fair share of time on the field, while trying to keep the score from getting too out of hand.  We have been playing the “older” kids on defense and sitting them on the bench more then usual…but the goals keep coming.

Game #3 was no different: Gladiators 15 x 2 YMCA…so much for a $50 donation, eh?! All for a good cause.