Region 1 Donates $21,000 to Help the West Virginia Flood Victims
New York Youth Soccer News: Region 1 and its 15 states really stepped up to help the people of West Virginia
Before the Region 1 Championships were played at the Barboursville Soccer Complex in West Virginia from June 30 to July 5, there was a concern about the games being played due to the unprecedented flooding in the Mountain State. Yet Barboursville, in the southwest corner of West Virginia, did not get the historic rainfall that other parts of the state received, although the semifinals and finals toward the end of Regionals had to be moved to other venues because of wet fields.
Yet the floods affected some in the West Virginia Soccer Association’s volunteer base due to property damage and power outages so the 15 state youth associations in Region 1, including the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), stepped up and provided volunteers so that Regionals could run as smoothly as possible. Additionally, every state president volunteered to help further.
$16,000 was donated by the teams and families attending Regionals, including people giving money as they entered the Barboursville Soccer Complex. Volunteers also walked around the fields with buckets seeking donations. An additional $5,000 was donated by Region 1 for a total of $21,000 going to those in the West Virginia State Association affected by the flooding.
“Region 1 is a family of 15 states as we all have soccer in common,“ explained Region 1 Director Natalie Schwoeble. “To see the generosity of all 15 states was amazing. When high-powered individuals such as the state presidents volunteer their time by standing in the middle of the street and accept donations for families in West Virginia, that was inspiring.“
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: With over 100,000 youth soccer players–both boys and girls–and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators.
All levels of soccer are offered–from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association.
