A common love for soccer linked a local family to a community located nearly 1500 miles away in Haiti. 

 

 Last year, Connect Bridgeport shared the story of how a ten-year-old boy made a global impact by collecting soccer balls and jerseys to donate to Ft. Liberte, a Haitian community adopted by the Clarksburg Baptist Church (CBC), who have had an active mission field there since 1979. That story can be viewed HERE

 

To summarize, Jonah Williams, who will graduate from Robert C. Byrd High School this year, was moved to help the children in Haiti after viewing a photo album brought back by the CBC group who had traveled to Haiti. In his eyes, it was unfathomable that they played soccer with rag balls and water bottles because they lacked the basics needed to enjoy his favorite game.

 

In short, he started a movement called Share the Game, with a strong presence on Facebook, and began collecting soccer balls, jerseys and equipment to send to Haiti.  To date, the group has sent nearly 200 soccer balls to Haiti, Honduras, Cuba, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, along with hundreds of jerseys. On CBC’s last trip to Haiti, there was a request for adult-sized jerseys for the older children and adults who also loved the game.

 

Williams collected donations from the Facebook page for Share the Game, from One King Sports, Bridgeport Soccer Association, Washington Irving Middle School, and Central West Virginia Soccer League. The recipients were beyond grateful to have the jerseys and balls, but some have aged and sized out of the jerseys, creating a demand for larger sizes.

 

Because of COVID-19, the spring CBC trip to Haiti was cancelled but they are hoping to go in the fall. The Williams family works with Bridgeport’s Lora Rohrbough to coordinate efforts of delivery with donations. Those who would like to donate adult-sized soccer jerseys, balls, or money toward the purchase of them, please visit Share the Game Jersey Purchase on Facebook.