Members of the SC United U-14 and U-12 girls soccer teams helped to create Easter cards for military families Sunday. They also received a lesson on flag upkeep and etiquette from members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Serra Post No. 3801 in San Juan Capistrano. Photo by Jim Shilander
By Jim Shilander
About 20 members of the SC United Soccer Club’s U-12 and U-14 girls soccer teams turned out Sunday to help brighten the Easter holiday for military families at Camp Pendleton and other bases in California.
The effort is part of a community service program instituted two years ago by the club.
Kerri McClellan of SC United said the organization had instituted the program two years ago as a way to teach its players lessons on leadership and giving back away from the soccer pitch.
For this project, the team put together Easter cards in partnership with Homefront America, a San Juan Capistrano-based organization that assists military families at Camp Pendleton and other bases, and San Juan Veterans of Foreign Wars Serra Post No. 3801. Two hundred children and 100 families will be feted by Homefront America at a celebration at the Zoomars Petting Zoo later this spring. The soccer club put together more than 50 Easter cards to put in the gift baskets.
United player Ariana Crary said the community service project was an important part of the experience of being on the team.
“I like it because we’re just helping people,” Crary said. “And it’s fun when you’re doing it with your team.”
Another player, Julia Kalez, said she enjoyed seeing people’s reactions to the efforts the team has made.
“That’s the best part,” she said.
Members of the Serra Post also spoke to the teams about flag etiquette and upkeep.
