To share his joy for soccer, Ryan Galeas collects used cleats, balls and other gear to make sure players around the world have opportunities to play.
The Mid Valley Elementary School sixth grader started collecting gear in early October. He has received donations from around the community — including about 20 pairs of cleats and 30 soccer balls — to send to Peace Passers, an organization that helps redistribute used soccer gear to people worldwide.
Every year, Ryan would donate his used cleats to Goodwill Industries, said his mother, Stacie Kane. This year, they decided to make a bigger impact and started Ryan’s Cleats for Bare Feet. They searched the internet and found Peace Passers, which helps athletes in need who also love soccer.
“I’m very proud of him for being selfless and trying to get other kids to donate,” Kane said.
Members of the Valley View High School boys soccer team heard about Ryan’s efforts and decided to get involved.
“Since it’s our last season of high school soccer, we wanted to go out in a bang and help the community and other people’s lives, so we joined forces with Ryan,” said Joel DeCarli, a Valley View senior.
Both Joel and his teammate, senior Sam Cole, have played soccer since they were children in youth leagues, like Ryan.
They contributed more than three dozen balls, shorts, jerseys and shin guards collected from their teammates and community members to Ryan’s Cleats for Bare Feet, said Sam.
“I’m sure the kids that are going to be receiving all of the donations, they’re going to have a great time like we did out on the field,” said Joel.
Ryan is collecting gear, including cleats, soccer balls sizes 3, 4 and 5, ball pumps and needles, soccer socks, and goalie jerseys and gloves until Mid Valley goes on break for Thanksgiving at the end of the month.
To donate, visit Ryan’s Cleats for Bare Feet on Facebook; email Kane at kane.stacie@gmail.com; or for monetary donations, visit Ryan’s Cleats For Bare Feet on GoFundMe.
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