Grimsby boy scores a GOAL for Haiti

Eight-year-old collecting gear for Caribbean country

Grimsby Lincoln News By Amanda Moore A Grimsby boy is spreading his love of soccer to another part of the world. While looking for a way to help others, Aaron Adzijevich stumbled upon GOALS for Haiti, a Florida-based organization which sends gently used soccer gear to the Caribbean nation. “I want to help kids in Haiti to play soccer and get to play soccer,” said Adzijevich, a student at Our Lady of Fatima. “Because soccer is my favourite sport.” While reading about the organization, Adzijevich learned children in Haiti play soccer in bare feet, kicking around a homemade ball. He decided his good deed would be to provide children in that country with the tools to enjoy his favourite sport. In May, Adzijevich sought the help of his classmates at Our Lady of Fatima. They responded overwhelmingly, filling five boxes with no longer needed soccer gear such as balls, jerseys and cleats. Next, he approached his soccer club, Hamilton Croatia. They filled another five boxes of gear. While he has plenty of gear to send, he is seeking community support to get the boxes to Florida and, ultimately, Haiti. Adzijevich has been selling lemonade on weekends outside his Grimsby home to collect funds for the initiative. He is also hosting a garage sale at 203 Livingston Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be something for everyone, from household items to toys to clothes. All proceeds will assist Adzijevich in shipping out the soccer equipment he has collected. GOALS for Soccer uses sport to engage youth in community work and education to improve quality of life today and develop new leaders for tomorrow. For more information, visit www.goalshaiti.org.