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Jul 4, 2007 7:00 pm US/Eastern
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Building Bridges Through The Sport Of Soccer
Part Of WBZ's 'American Spirit' Series
by Steve Burton
DEDHAM (WBZ) ―
When you think of sports, many people think of fun and games or competition. But sports can be so much more. They can build bridges and change lives.
Soccer may be the world's most popular sport, but on a field in Dedham it is also a place to learn some life lessons.
"It's a place for them to come together, to learn team work early," says Pete Springer of Dedham Youth Soccer.
And a place for kids to learn how to make the world a better place. Young soccer players in Dedham are collecting soccer equipment for Sierra Leone in West Africa. Last year these kids sent donations to children in Iraq.
"It's a good idea because they probably don't have it as good as us," said player Katie Montgomery. "They probably want to have some fun."
"We all want to make a difference, to help out other countries that are not as wealthy as us," said David O'Dea.
The grassroots humanitarian effort is the brainchild of George Cuddy, a Brookline man who loves soccer. Through an international fan club, he came in touch with another passionate fan who coaches all the way over in Sierra Leone.
"Dear George, we need football equipment, balls, shoes, socks, etc." the email from Sierra Leone said. "Please, I am ashamed to ask and I hesitate to ask, but it is very hard in Sierra Leone."
It is very hard in the second poorest country in the world to set up a team.
Thousands left dead, homeless or maimed after a civil war that spanned more than a decade. A simple game is helping the nation of six million people heal.
George started an equipment drive, collecting soccer balls, t-shirts, cones, cleats and all types of equipment in children's sizes. The drive began with a few emails to friends and to other soccer fans. Now, just a couple weeks later, he is receiving donations from as far away as California.
"I am not turning anything away right now. My girlfriend is just looking at this and shaking her head," George said.. "I am really blown away because people have just really stepped up, strangers I don't even know."
"When people step up like this, it shows, maybe people are inherently good… The world is a very small place and regardless of any orientation, whether it is ethnic or religious or political, there is some type of common bond."
And it can be found a soccer field, with kids losing themselves as they kick and chase a simple ball. That's the power of a game.
George Cuddy is planning on more donation drives this summer. His next drive is in Brookline on July 14. It's from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Robinson Field on Cypress Street. You can also email George at
redwhiteandskyblues@yahoo.com.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)