I know that BQ has reported on this "Kick it Back" program with the Sanneh Foundation on IMS News. I would be willing to serve as a contact person for the supporters and collect some good stuff for our fellow soccer players in Haiti. Please start bringing all of your new or gently used soccer equipment to the remaining Stars matches and watch parties. I can collect it and then make sure it is delivered to the collection bins at the last game.

Seriously folks, we all have a ton of soccer stuff that sits in our garages and basements. Let's go through those spaces and get this stuff back into use for kids that can really use it. I would also encourage everyone to let their co-workers know about this and start collection efforts at work and in the community. I would also encourage people to be in contact with their local soccer clubs about this effort.

PS: Tony, thank you for all the great work you are doing. You are a class act, sir!

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STARS HOST KICK IT BACK DRIVE TO BENEFIT HAITI
In coordination with Kick It Back and The Sanneh Foundation, the NSC Minnesota Stars announced a collection drive to benefit Haitian youth soccer. The Stars will collect new and gently used soccer shoes and equipment at the gates during their Sept. 18 home finale against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

“I am happy that The Sanneh Foundation is partnering with the Stars in another philanthropic program to help children around the world,” Tony Sanneh said. “It goes to show that the organization is community based and intune with the need to be apart of the greater good and help the underserved."

The Sanneh Foundation founded the Kick It Back program in 2009 while Sanneh, a St. Paul native and member of the 2002 U.S. World Cup team, was a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Sanneh and his teammates kicked off the campaign by donating their own equipment in the hopes that others would follow the example through all levels of soccer. Since its inception, the Kick it Back program has provided shoes and soccer equipment for youth in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Los Angeles, Namibia, South Africa and Haiti.

Since March 2010, the Sanneh Foundation and Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation have sponsored the Haitian Initiative, which provides soccer-based youth programming, aid and equipment to Haiti as it rebuilds from the January 12 earthquake near Port-au-Prince. In July, the Haitian Initiative sponsored an under-15 L’Athletique d’Haiti boys soccer team while it competed in the V Elite tournament at the Schwan’s USA CUP, presented by PUMA at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

“Having the team from Haiti during USA CUP was one of the highlights of the tournament, and it did so much to illuminate all the work Tony and his foundation are doing to help the less fortunate, both on and off the field,” said Stars general manager Kris Bjerkness.

How is everyone's collection efforts going? I have a 1/2 dozen pair of shoes in my collection bin at work, and about 4-5 pair in my basement. You know, this could be so cool is the youth soccer clubs stepped up and got invovled in something like this--and actually put some effort into it.

I think that this is a great opportunity to give something to kids who have so little. I spoke with some of the kids from Haiti at the USA Cup this past summer. One of the kids was excited because he was going to get a chance to play soccer on a field with grass! We take the smallest things for granted--let's put a 100% effort into this. You never know, one of the kids we help out could be the next Joe Gaetjens.

I think this is such a great idea and I hope everyone takes the time to donate some shoes and/or equipment. I'll be going through my kids stuff to see what we can donate.
If you don't have used equipment at home, take a quick trip out to the sporting goods store and pick up an inexpensive pair of shoes and/or shin guards.
That little amount of money you will spend means a lot to these kids !

I will match any donation I receive for soccer equipment up to $150 for soccer equipment. Hey, I know it is not a lot, but like CL said, you can get some great deals on soccer equipment. I will collect donations at the watch party this weekend and at the next home match.

Hey folks, I made it a personal goal to collect 100 pairs of shoes for the Kick It Back/The Sanneh Foundation collection efforts. To do this, I am contacting local youth soccer organizations and HS soccer programs. However, I also need your help to make this a smashing success.

I am asking EVERYONE to really work their soccer contact and come up with shoes that they can bring in. I think this would be great if we can bring in a ton of shoes. (Remember that this effort is not limited to just soccer shoes. They are also taking running shoes and flats.)

COME ON YOU DARK CLOUDS, lets do a top-notch job in making this effort a success. Thanks!

Remember Joe Gaetjens!

Hey, I am getting close to my goal of 100 pairs of shoes. Any help would be great. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE call all your friends, contact your local soccer clubs and ask your co-workers if they have any items to dontate. Let's do this big time!!!

Kudos to Blaine SC for helping me collect 30 pairs of shoes this past weekend at their try-outs. I am up to 50 pairs of shoes--and I need 50 more by the end of the week. Come on--I need some help here!!! COME ON YOU DARK CLOUDS!!!



PS: Okay, I just realized that Tony's last name is mis-spelled. That is actually my wife's fault. However, I am sure Tony will not mind becuase I am working hard.

I want to thank everyone who helped me collect shoes for The Tony Sanneh Foundation "Kick-it-Back" drive. I had a fun time collecting shoes for the soccer players of the future from Haiti. I wanted to also thank the Blaine Soccer Club for putting the word out and helping me with my collection efforts.