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This is a great story by the Daily Herald about a great person and a company that continues to give back to the community.
Grant helps soccer club leader mentor young Hispanics
Serving as president of a competitive soccer club is more than managing a sport for Shah Quaiyoom (middle left).
It's about serving as a mentor and role model to the athletes on the 17 teams that make up the Mundelein Soccer Club. Teaching the skills of the game is important. But it's just as important for Quaiyoom to strengthen his relationship with the players. For that reason, he has an account on Facebook and spends about 13 hours on Saturdays watching games to show his support.
Quaiyoom, who was born and raised in Mexico City, takes a special interest in the Hispanic players, which make up about 60 percent of the club. The Mundelein resident and avid soccer player finds many Hispanic players don't get the training they need when they're young. Their parents often don't speak English and may not understand the need for constant practice. These kids then are not able to make the high school team.
"Many players don't have a lot of money or their parents are working and can't get them to practice," Quaiyoom said. He makes sure the players are at practice and finds the money to help them play.
This task became a little easier when he was recently awarded a $10,000 grant through a volunteer contest held by his employer. Quaiyoom works as a senior project engineer for ComEd, which is under Exelon Corp. "Exelon promotes volunteerism and asks people to get involved."
To read the full story: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=290055
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Great story. One of the good guys for the sport and in life!
Great story Joe. Kuddos to Shah!
There are grown ups and kids who are more than willing to help which I think is oustanding and a way to improve our soccer community as a whole....just to add a little story here.
Ten year old Isabelle R from Naperville is holding a fundraising event for San Miguel school in Chicago. Her club team and the co-ed San Miguel team will play each other this Saturday at Frontier Park in Naperville at 3:30pm. She has already raised $1000.00 for the school to buy equipment and hopes to raise more for them. Additionally parents and sponsors have donated food and other goods for the event.
While I know it's not a 'high school story' I can't think of a better way suburban players can help inner city players, especially at 10 years old.