Local Youth Soccer Leaders Provide Thanksgiving Dinner to Families

The Elite Soccer Community Organization's (ESCO) Youth Leaders organized their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to support the Wheeling Township Food Pantry. With the help of friends, family, neighbors and teams across Elite Soccer, the Youth Leaders were able to collect 165 baskets, $1,600 in gift cards, and 70+ extra bags of food. The baskets are designed to include items to make a complete Thanksgiving Day meal for a family. Leaders organized all the baskets on November 20th at Juliette Low Elementary School and a group of a group of dedicated parent volunteers drove the items to the Food Pantry on November 21st.

Formed in 2010 as the non-profit arm of Elite Soccer, ESCO's mission is to build community by developing youth through soccer. The Youth Leaders are part of ESCO's Youth Leadership Program and are provided with opportunities and experiences that foster leadership development, youth empowerment, and self-reflection. Aimed at promoting personal and social development, the program develops and enhances leadership skills and attitudes mostly through volunteer coaching experiences and service project participation. Fore more information about ESCO and its Youth Leadership Program, visit www.elitesoccercommunity.org.