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breathe
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breathe
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What better way to feel the Holiday Spirit than to give back to our communities, and help those in need. This was the vision when putting together the ISL Foundation Holiday Kickoff Charity Food Drive. ISL Foundation exists to improve our communities through the power of sport, and during the holidays this is even more important.
In total, the Academies and Experience Trips collected and donated over 1,000 pounds of goods to local charitable organizations. We’d like to thank all players, coaches, directors and families for helping ISL Foundation improving our communities through sport. Lastly, we thank the Salvation Army, Loaves and Fishes, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and every organization for their help and all that they do not just during the Holidays, but all year.
Last weekend, ISL Foundation had the honor of partnering with Developmental Disabilities Resources, Inc. (DDR, Inc.) in putting on a free soccer clinic for 40 plus kids and adults in the Charlotte, NC community. “Dream, Believe, Achieve” is the bedrock on which they stand and for us, their motto is everything that embodies ISL Foundation as a whole.
The special event gained local news coverage from WCCB CW, and helped build support throughout the community leading into the event.
Kim Michel, the Leader of DDR’s Dream Squad, was quoted saying of the event “The DDR Dream Squad were in complete agreement that the soccer event this past weekend was easily one of our favorite events we have ever been a part of. This event ensured that each individual had the opportunity to stand out for a different reason, for trying hard and for being able to take risks doing something they have never tried before.”
The event was supported by Barca Academy Charlotte coaches and methodologies. Kim went on to say of the staff “I can honestly speak for the entire group when I tell you how much we truly appreciate the level of professionalism, effort, kindness, and genuine sincerity the staff put into this event.”
It was a chilly morning in Matthews, NC at the Matthews Sportsplex, but spirits were high and smiles were beaming all around. The emphasis of the day, simply to have fun, forget about the cares of the world and for a few hours train and play like real professional soccer players. After a brief welcoming introduction, players were broken up into different teams under the watchful and caring eyes of official Barcelona trained coaches and staff. Players were lead through the same instructions and drills academy players are routinely put through in preparation for league play and competitions. Passing, shooting, ball control and field formations were on the docket for the morning, before a spirited scrimmage to wrap up the morning.
ISL Foundation would like to thank everyone for making this event possible, and making it a memorable day for a special group of players.
When ISL Foundation had the opportunity to work alongside Sil Ganzó (Founder and Executive Director) and ourBRIDGE for KIDS (Charlotte, NC) we jumped at the chance.
ourBRIDGE for KIDS is a not-for-profit organization that supports refugee and immigrant communities in Charlotte by offering a one-of-a-kind enrichment program for newly arrived and 1st generation American children. They advocate for the success, happiness and fair treatment of all immigrant families as they acculturate to the United States.
As a family ourselves, ISL is made up of a team of people with ties to different parts of the world, including Brazil, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, United Kingdom, etc… so being able to partner up with ourBRIDGE has always been a privilege for us to be a part of.
Recently we had the opportunity, in conjunction with our partnership with Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona) and toc ball to spend an afternoon with the kids, as part of a better health initiative for juveniles that involves getting them off the couch and away from any electronic devices, to be more active outdoors.
We were beyond grateful to Xavi and toc ball for their generous contribution of 50 trainers for each of the kids to go home with and begin learning new skills, which will be both beneficial to their health and when getting out on the field to play.
To learn more about ourBRIDGE for KIDS and how you can get involved please follow this link https://www.joinourbridge.org/