NEWS - Performance Printing

NEWSConnected to your communitySoccer team to help build school in NicaraguaWest Ottawa Soccer ClubEMC news - Six local youth willhead to Central America this summerto help build a school in Nicaragua,through SchoolBox, a Canadiancharity.The youth play on teams in theWest Ottawa Soccer Club, an organizationthat encourages athletes tofind interesting ways to give back totheir communities.Last year, a team of athletes fromthe soccer club ran a five-kilometrerace to support the building of aschool and raised more than $1,700from pledges.Following the run, the team wonthird prize in the national True SportGive Back competition which helpedto raise an additional $2,000 for thecause. More than $4,000 was raisedlast year to support the charity.This year, the team will completeits journey by making the trek downto Managua, the capital of Nicaragua,to support the building of a school.Just 40 kilometres out of thecapital, the team of youth and theirchaperones will be spending 10 dayshelping to build the school, engagewith the community, play soccerwith local youth, and experience thewarm Nicaraguan hospitality.In addition, the youth have receiveda $7,000 scholarship from theAmazing People Gala, a local eventthat highlights extraordinary accomplishmentsfrom ordinary people.The gala raised more than $50,000for SchoolBox last year and determinedthat the six athletes were fittingambassadors of their inauguralyouth scholarships.“We believe that these athletesdemonstrate the kind of leadershipand caring that we want to fosteramong local youth. We hope thatthis will inspire other youths to wantto give back to their community theway these young athletes have,” saidEric Collard, co-chair of the gala.Head coach Dina Bell-Laroche, acommunity leader and veteran of fiveOlympic Games has incorporated agive back element into all the teamsshe has coached.Bell-Laroche said this is this kindof experience that makes good athletes,great leaders.“Sport is more than just a game.Sport can teach life lessons off theplaying field that can build self esteem,empowering people to set agoal and achieve it, and believe insomething that is larger than them,”she said. “I’m so proud of the accomplishmentsof these young athletesand the leadership they are demonstratingto support a communitythousands of miles away.”The six local athletes are KathleenCarson, Priya Nagpal, TiffanyIngram, Gabrièle Donnelly, JessicaAiello and Talia Laroche. Othermembers include Peter Donnelly,Lynn Aiello, Karri Dawson, JohnSUBMITTEDSix local youth will head toCentral America this summer tohelp build a school in Nicaragua,through SchoolBox, a Canadiancharity.Carson and Bell-Laroche. In addition,Eric Collard, co-chair of theAmazing People Gala will be joiningthe team.To support the team in their journeyand to raise even more money forSchoolBox, players have organized acommunity five-kilometre run in Bridlewoodstarting off at StonemeadowPark on June 8.Anyone interested in walkingor running can help to raise moneythrough pledges and by purchasingraffle tickets. For more information,please contact Dina Bell-Laroche atdbl@sportlaw.ca.Thank you!To all our participants, sponsors and supporters who helpedmake the 2013 Spring cleanup a success, thank you foryour continued support! Your efforts keep Ottawa clean,green, graffiti and litter-free.Watch for our Fall Cleaning the Capital early birdregistration starting on August 15!2013028024_17R0012122263/0530Sponsors:@ottawacity0530.R0012123329Kanata CreativeKindergartenNEW LOCATIONFor Informationor RegistrationCall613-592-1570www.kck2003.caAlso Pre-JKfor 3 year oldsOpen HouseR0012069315_0509Kanata Kourier-Standard EMC - Thursday, May 30, 2013 23