A jersey drive that collected used soccer jerseys for kids in Africa last month was a resounding success, but organizers aren’t sure how they’re going to afford to ship them overseas.
Melissa Jakimik and Amelie Morissette are getting ready to send more than 150 pounds worth of sportswear to Slum2School Africa — a sports developmental program that helps underserved children who live in slums and remote communities.
Readers first learned of the fundraiser in June when Jakimik sensed there were plenty of parents who had lightly used child-sized soccer and sports jerseys laying around the house.
After hosting a trio of drop-off sessions at Strathclair Sports Complex throughout June, it quickly became evident she wasn’t wrong.
“We collected about 500 jerseys, shorts, socks, and soccer bags,” she told SooToday. “The response from the community has been incredibly positive. It’s more than what we expected.”
“We had one special man who used to be involved in the Sault soccer community here and he generously donated so many items, many still brand new,” she added. “We are so thankful to him and the rest of the community.”
But now, Jakimik has encountered an issue she had fears about from the start: shipping costs.
To send all the sportswear to Nigeria — which equates to three 50-pound boxes and several soccer bags — the organizers are looking at a $2,000 price tag.
“It’s a bit unfortunate,” Jakimik admitted. “Shipping a large quantity of items internationally is quite expensive. Maybe people have tried this fundraiser before and that’s what they encounter.”
Seeking additional help, the moms have organized a GoFundMe page in hopes that residents and businesses might be able to assist them in covering the outstanding shipping costs.
“These jerseys can make a significant difference for children in need,” Jakimik said.