Centennials Donate Soccer Balls To Iraqi Children

Jack Ryan, Jack Ryan Jr. and Brendan Ryan display their generous donation along with Patricia Takach, Kelly Reis, Eiizabeth Mahoney, Lauren Williams, Katie McCarthy and Emily Winchurch of the Goalbusters.

Last weekend, the Garden City Centennial Soccer Club, in conjunction with GCAA, collected over 500 donated soccer balls to be distributed by members of the U.S. armed forces to children in Iraq. The ball drive was in response to requests from Thomas Ryder, U.S. Army; Ralph Dengeler, U.S. Marines and Kevin Joyce, U.S. Army.

Special thanks goes to several members of the Garden City Goalbusters travel team- Elizabeth Mahoney, Katie McCarthy, Kelly Reis, Patricia Takach, Lauren Williams, Emily Winchurch, Carly Cento, Kyrsta Cento and Maria Sokolovic. The girls volunteered much of their weekend to work at the drop-off station at St. Paul's. The ball collection was organized and supervised by Patty Takach, with help from Mary Mahoney and Joan McCarthy. The girls, mothers and clubs appreciate the generosity of everyone who contributed to making the ball drive a big success.

Maria Sokolovic, Carly Cento, Lauren Williams, Randy Colahan, Elizabeth Mahoney, Emily Winchurch and Katie McCarthy pose with a small portion of the soccr balls donated by Randy.

The Goalbusters capped off the weekend with a hard-fought victory over Division 1 rivals Smithtown Liberty.

Rich Gregory drops off his contribution to Kelly Reis. Emily Winchurch and Patty Takach pack up balls. Jack Phalen gets in a few last kicks before this ball is sent to a child in Iraq.