Amidst the throng of students in the crowded hallway, something stands out. Soccer balls, cleats, jerseys, shin guards, cones and mini goals hang from cardboard boxes labeled “Soccer Without Borders Major Equipment Drive.”
Key Club's PHS branch hosted a Soccer Without Borders equipment drive from January 15th through January. 26. Key Club is an international organization with various chapters in schools across the United States.
“[Key Club] We work on a wide range of community service projects, especially to improve the lives of the less fortunate,” said sophomore Key Club member Noah Song.
Key Club Secretary General Rachel Young, a sophomore, said that for this activity, Key Club will donate new or gently used soccer balls, mini goals, cones, spikes, and athletic clothing to the STEAM building, 20s building, and 30s building. He said he was collecting it in three trash cans located in the city. .
The Soccer Without Borders equipment drive was expanded to Piedmont Middle School and Beach Elementary School, with one trash can placed at each campus.
Young said Key Club aims to get at least five donations per box, with a total of up to 25 donations. At the end of the activity, Key Club collected his 37 pairs of shoes and his 13 soccer balls and donated them to the Auckland branch of Soccer Without Borders.
The club began planning this donation drive in mid-December 2023.
“[Key Club] “We had a meeting with one of the directors of Football Without Borders and it really inspired us so we wanted to do something to support this organization,” Young said. .
By organizing this activity, Key Club wanted to support Soccer Without Borders' mission to help local young immigrants integrate into their communities through sport.
Key Club President Junior Sabrina Oliphant said the installation of the equipment will help sustain Soccer Without Borders as it is a non-profit organization that operates purely on donations.
Organizing your drives requires multiple steps.
“We had to work with ASB to figure out where to put the boxes, how to put up all the posters, and how to put it in announcements and on ASB’s Instagram,” Oliphant said. Ta.
Through the process of organizing and hosting the Soccer Without Borders equipment drive, key club members were able to practice leadership, fundraising, communication, and planning skills.
“To collect donations, you need to engage your community, and you need to know how to communicate that it's marketing communication. And it's all about the who, what, where, and why message.” Key Club Advisor Jana Branisa said.
Through the development of Soccer Without Borders equipment, Key Clubs have also been able to strengthen their community and camaraderie.
“[The Soccer Without Borders equipment drive has] It was a great opportunity to not only help the community, but also bring the Key Club together,” Oliphant said.
Key club members believe the experience gained from this equipment drive will shape future events they host.
“Being able to work with legitimate nonprofits on their behalf, rather than running their own fundraisers and donating the results, is a huge step toward being able to do more and encourage more participation.” I think it's a step forward,” Song said. .
