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Demskis, Sockers FC share their love of the game

On this Valentine's day, we bring you a story of a local family showing its love for children in Cuba.

A few years ago, Jennifer Demski's daughter Megan, a sophomore at Fremd High School, joined Sockers FC Chicago, a youth soccer club established in 1986.

Every two years, Jennifer had to purchase a new uniform kit for her daughter which ran in the $400-$600 range.

When she purchased a second kit two and half years ago, Jennifer started thinking about repurposing the older uniforms.

"If families donated the used uniforms collectively, instead of tossing or donating them individually as I had in the past, I wondered if they could be used by another youth soccer team in need in a third world country," she said.

So when she heard talk this past summer about the borders opening for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, Jennifer felt it was an opportunity to donate the uniforms.

"We had always talked of going there if the ban was ever lifted," she said. "I started thinking about my past ideas of collecting the uniforms and couldn't shake the feeling that this was our opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youth who had so many less advantages than our children have."

Jennifer reached out to Sockers, and they approved it immediately.

"I then took a deep breath," she said. "And created a plan."

The club sent out emails to the members about collecting the equipment.

Jennifer's husband, Michael, and Megan set up a collection booth during the main hours of practice at Olympic Park in Schaumburg. The Sockers' Naperville and McHenry locations also set up collections.

"Through the combination of it all, we collected nearly 400 pounds of clothing from over 75 families," Jennifer said. "We accepted not only uniforms but everything soccer-related."

Jennifer then called and emailed about 10 different organizations, including the Futbol Association of Cuba, the Cuban Consulate, and UNICEF (a big sponsor of worldwide soccer).

"I felt like I was up against a brick wall," she said. "No one was returning my emails and I was a little worried that things were not going to work out."

But fate stepped in when Mike mentioned the plan to his college roommate from Marquette.

The roommate's wife was of Cuban descent and he said he would check with her to see if she had any ideas.

She contacted Jennifer and said that a friend was recently in Cuba on a mission trip and she would get information from her.

"That is when the 'match made in heaven' was created," Jennifer said. "We connected with Don Elmore of United Servants Abroad. They have been working with a Church in Varadero, Cuba, which just started a new soccer league for middle and older students.

"Not only did they not have uniforms," Jennifer said, "but they play barefooted, so they were delighted to hear from us."

After neighbors were on board to helping transport the items to Cuba and deliver them, Jennifer scheduled the trip and booked the tickets.

"There was a lot of work to get the items logged for customs and ready for shipment," she said. "Everything was sorted and tabulated. Cleats were washed to make them look a bit newer. A few items that needed mending were sewed. Everything was boxed. The boxes were taped and weighed to make sure they met the requirements for shipping."

Jennifer's whole family participated, including sons Matt (an eighth grader at Carl Sandburg Junior High in Rolling Meadows) and Mike, a senior at Fremd.

"We even enlisted Mike's friend (Michael Parzynski, a senior at Fremd) as extra muscle as we weighed and carried each box," Jennifer said. "We filled eight boxes at just under 50 pounds each."

Megan, who plays in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), had a college showcase in Florida over the winter break.

The Demskis networked with United Servants Abroad to have a board member meet their family at the Orlando airport.

That's where the box would be put in a container headed to Cuba in early January, so they would arrive prior to the Demskis' visit last week. Unfortunately, that particular mission trip was postponed so the uniforms won't be there until the trip is rescheduled in the coming months.

However, Jennifer and Mike, along with two other couples, traveled to Cuba last week. They brought three remaining boxes filled with all of the cleats.

The group met with a representative of United Servants Abroad at the Havana airport and spent two nights in Havana. They spent the remaining three days in Varadero. They also visited Pastor Joel Dopico of the Varadero Presbyterian Church and President of the Cuban Council of Churches. The pastor took Jennifer's group to the field in Guasimas, about 30 minutes away from Varadero.

They also met with some players there and delivered 113 pairs of cleats.

Approximately 150 children are part of a newly developed soccer league for youth through the high school, some part of the church and others just residents of the town.

"New soccer equipment and uniforms are sure to expand the enthusiasm and excitement for good healthy fun through soccer for the youth in Cuba," said Don Elmore of the USA. "The age of the players range between 14 to 24 years. Many younger children are showing an interest in soccer."

Thanks to Jennifer's brainstorm, those players will have a new look in apparel and equipment this summer.

Men's basketball

Aurora University junior Pat Kramp (Rolling Meadows) is averaging 9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists for the Spartans, who are 14-7 and 12-4 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (second place).

Women's basketball

Illinois State freshman Megan Talbot (Barrington) just missed a double-double in a 63-56 loss against Southern Illinois when she finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds. She also knocked down a season-high 5 field goals (on seven attempts) en route to scoring in double digits for the third time this season.

Women's hockey

Concordia University (Wisconsin) senior forward Veronika Metanova (Palatine) was the National College Women's Association offensive player of the week.

She earned her first honor this season after becoming the Falcons' all-time scoring leader with a 4-point effort against Marian University. Metanova scored 2 first-period goals and added 2 third-period assists to help CUW to the 6-1 win. She now has 87 points (34G/53A) in her career and is also tied atop the Falcons career assists leader board.

Baseball

Prospect senior Jackson Doughty has committed to play baseball at Monmouth College beginning this fall.

• Illinois State senior right-handed pitcher Jack Landwehr (Prospect) is moving from the bullpen to a starting role, according to Redbirds coach Bo Durkac in a newspaper report.

Landwehr has been tabbed as the starting pitcher for the Redbirds' season opener on Feb. 17 against Indiana State in Clarksville, Tenn.

"Jack did a heckuva job coming out of the bullpen last year," Durkac told the Bloomington Pantagraph. "I think he's ready to make the jump to a starter."

Dean's list

Hillsdale College freshman basketball player Julia Wacker (Fremd) made the dean's list last semester. Wacker was the Daily Herald's Female Athlete of the Year for the 2015-16 school year, starring in basketball and softball for the Vikings.

Men's track and field

Agustana junior Evan Murphy (Buffalo Grove) finished fourth (42-8¼) in the triple jump as the Vikings won the team title at Grinnell College's Darren Young Classic. The 4x200 relay that included junior Josh Yamamoto (Fremd) also took second, running a 1:33.95.

Hersey Booster Club

The John Hersey High School Athletic Boosters are hosting their annual fundraising party on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Atlantis Banquets in Arlington Heights. Doors open at 6 p.m.

New this year is the Mardi Gras Theme with live carnivale entertainment and mobile silent auction. There will be more than 100 auction packages, including Cubs, Sox and Bulls tickets, Blackhawk tickets in the Harris Club, an Eagle Ridge Get-A-Way, and a Rolling Green Golf outing.

If you can't attend, follow the booster's link after Friday, Feb. 17 and you can bid remotely.

Tickets for the Mardi Gras Fundraising Party are $50 and include entry to the event, open bar and an Hors d'oeuvres/Sweets Buffet. Tickets can be purchased online.

Barrington Booster Club

The Barrington High School Baseball Booster Club has announced its "Big League Bash" event.

The annual fundraiser will be March 11 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pinstripes in the South Barrington Arboretum. This year's Big League Baseball Bash theme will feature a variety of special activities including a 'Meet the Coaches' session, a silent auction, a raffle drawing with Cubs/Sox tickets, refreshments and appetizers.

In addition, District 220 Board of Education President Brian Battle will be honored with the 2017 Robert Brandt Memorial Spirit of American Legion Award.

"Brian Battle is and has always been an ardent supporter of the high school and American Legion baseball program," said booster president John Sciaccotta. "We are pleased to recognize the many ways that he has helped to ensure our student athletes focus on academic excellence, high performance, and sportsmanship."

The banquet is the major annual fundraiser for the baseball booster group. All proceeds from the event will go toward field renovations and upgrades, as well as equipment and training needs.

Banquet Detail Tickets for the evening are $50 per person and should be ordered by March 6 for the event.

For more information and to order tickets or donate to the silent auction, please visit the BHS Baseball Booster Club website at www.bhsbaseballboosterclub.org.

• Email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com.

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