“Brett (Parker) and I saw the poverty that existed in Paraguay and the number or young kids playing soccer with no shoes on glass-filled streets or rocky areas, and that hit us hard,” Shaw said. “The kids loved the game of soccer so much that they risked major injury, and we knew that we could do something about it.”
Over the last year, women’s and men’s soccer players collected cleats, Hays community members bought cleats and Jacob Ternes (FHSU Homecoming Committee) donated shirts as part of the effort. After loading up the gifts, “Boots for Paraguay” received another donation from Jerome and Marge Staryve to cover the shipping costs for when the two coaches went back to Paraguay.
“During this latest trip (February 2015), we were able to go to an orphanage of about 40 kids to hand out the items,” Shaw said. “They were so happy and overjoyed to just someone care. It was amazing.”
Parker agreed, stating that “it was a great experience, not only to help them with donations from the FHSU and Hays communities, but also to be able to meet and interact with the children. I cannot wait to go back and see them all again.”
The coaches will continue the program this year, working closely with the orphanage on the needs of children and “taking it to the next level,” according to Shaw. Eventually, the coaches hope to see a “Adopt a Kid/Pen Pal” situation develop between FHSU Soccer student-athletes and Paraguayan children at the orphanage.
“It was a great start, and we are very excited to be able to help those who are less fortunate and to give back,” Shaw said. “It was a very humbling and emotional event that touched our hearts.”
FHSU Soccer created a video of their recent trip, viewable here or through YouTube.com, searching “Boots for Paraguay.” To learn more about the program or to get involved with Boots for Paraguay, contact Craig Shaw (cashaw@fhsu.edu) or Brett Parker (bmparker2@fhsu.edu).