The Copper Mountain Soccer Club community recently made a meaningful difference in the lives of children in Honduras through an incredible outpouring of generosity and support.
Several months before a mission trip to Honduras, a request was shared with CMSC players, coaches, teams, and families for soccer equipment and supplies to benefit Coach Roger and the children he works with. The response was overwhelming!
Thanks to the generosity of our CMSC community, donations included nearly everything a young soccer player could need: soccer balls, small goals, cleats, socks, shin guards, goalie gloves, shorts, and jerseys. Many items were brand-new, while others were gently used and still in excellent condition.
Getting the Donations to Honduras
With so many donations collected, the next challenge was figuring out how to get everything safely to Honduras. A group of 15 mission trip participants came together to organize the equipment, sort clothing and supplies by size, and determine the best way to transport everything.
Ultimately, the group decided to bring the donations as checked luggage. The result? Eight very large duffel bags packed full of soccer equipment made the journey from Salt Lake City to Honduras!
After arriving safely and accounting for every bag, the group delivered the equipment to Roger on their first evening. His reaction to seeing the incredible amount of donated gear was unforgettable. He could hardly believe how much the CMSC community had contributed.
Making a Difference Through Soccer
Roger is a volunteer soccer coach who works alongside a local Christian church in Honduras. He generously gives his time without compensation, providing children in his community with opportunities to learn, play, and grow through soccer.
Many of these children come from families facing significant financial challenges. Some must begin working at a young age to help support their households. Roger recognized that soccer could give these children something special: a chance to step away from the challenges of everyday life, spend time with friends, and simply enjoy being kids.
What began four years ago as a small group of approximately 20 children practicing wherever space was available has grown into a program serving more than 90 children consistently. Roger has also organized teams that compete within their local community, with tremendous success.
The Big Day: Sharing the Equipment
A few days after arriving in Honduras, the mission group met with Roger again to distribute the donated equipment. The children came out with many of their parents to share in the excitement.
The children were organized into smaller groups by size so jerseys, cleats, and other equipment could be distributed according to their needs. They were also told that, thanks to the kindness and generosity of so many people, these donations had traveled all the way from Utah just for them.
It was an incredible moment to see the excitement and gratitude on the children’s faces and to witness firsthand what the CMSC community had made possible.
More Than Just Soccer Equipment
This effort is a wonderful reminder of the impact a soccer community can have far beyond the field. What may have been gently used equipment or extra gear sitting in a closet at home became something incredibly meaningful to children thousands of miles away.
The donations provided more than soccer balls, jerseys, and cleats. They brought encouragement, happiness, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for children to experience the joy of playing soccer.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to every Copper Mountain Soccer Club player, coach, team, and family who donated, helped organize, and supported this effort. Your generosity made this experience possible, and we are grateful for the difference you helped make in the lives of Roger and the children he coaches.
This is what the CMSC community is all about: coming together, sharing our love of soccer, and making a positive impact – one player, one team, and one community at a time.
Thank you, CMSC, for making a difference! You are an amazing community.
