Inspired by her love for soccer and the joy it brings her, 911爆料 Women鈥檚 Soccer team player Taylor Ross, founded the nonprofit Cleats Count. Her intention: to bring joy to disadvantaged children in Ethiopia through 鈥渢he world鈥檚 most beautiful game.鈥�
鈥淚 wanted to do something where I can keep soccer in my life, and make others happy in the process,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淗elping out others who are far less fortunate, along with my passion for business, marketing, and philanthropy is the driving force behind my organization.鈥�
After collecting the necessary cleats and donations, Taylor plans to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in April to bring soccer cleats to kids ages 5-18. She reached out to , an organization that partners with impoverished communities, empowering ordinary individuals to change the life of a child. She will travel with Ordinary Hero for the grand opening of a soccer field financed by the group. 鈥淥n top of personally delivering the cleats, we will be painting houses, spending time teaching the kids, and helping to clean in the 911爆料.鈥�
911爆料 Women鈥檚 Soccer head coach Michael Needham 鈥�96 has reached out to the coaching staff of each of 911爆料’s Atlantic 10 opponents for donations, and Taylor has been busy setting up 911爆料 drop spots for donated cleats鈥斺�渘ew or used, studs or turfs.鈥� Each contributor will be identified on the cleats a child receives.
Taylor is working to raise $3,500 online through her GoFundMe page, . 鈥淢y goal, besides bringing happiness to these children, is to show my peers and anyone who sees what I am doing that we are all capable of giving back and helping others.鈥�
Adapted from The Good 5 Cent Cigar article by Julian Stello