Sparta players collect cleats for needy
SPARTA — The Sparta High School freshmen football players not only give their best effort on the field, but give their best effort off the field to help those in need.
While getting ready for football this summer, players Anthony Esposito, Chris Alexander and Thomas Agudo recognized how fortunate they are to have a choice of cleats and sneakers to wear.
However, they also acknowledged that there are many kids who do not share the same advantages.
The boys decided that they would organize a shoe drive to not only help the needy, but to also be “green” as it is considered a recycling effort.
The freshmen team players sponsored by SHS Athletic Director Pat Shea, SHS Head Football Coach Frank Marchiano, and freshmen football coaches Sam Slobodzian and John Procopio supported their efforts as they recognize that the young athletes they mentor in football can be role models in their community.
In a united effort, on Sept. 18 and 19, the Sparta freshmen football team collected over 500 pairs of gently used cleats, sneakers and shoes. Team members Justin Rosenthal, Eric Castorina, Jack Dau, Jake Zerillo, and Jack and Kevin Berlin volunteered to help sort through the shoes and bring to a warehouse in Franklin, from where the shoes will be shipped to the Soles4Soles organization for world-wide distribution.
The Soles4Soles organization is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator.