GIFTS FOR GULU SOCCER MATCH

Matthews Union Soccer Association and South Charlotte Soccer Association joined forces last night at Davie Park to raise awareness and donations for the people of Uganda. The event involved a game between the coaches of MUSA and SCSA. Many of the coaches of both youth clubs are current or former Charlotte Eagles players, or other former professional players. The game ended in a 4-1 victory for the MUSA coaches with hundreds of kids in attendance supporting their respective coaches.

On field rivals, MUSA and SCSA competed once again last night, but with a much different purpose. "We are happy to have an opportunity to raise awareness through this great game of soccer," stated SCSA President Joe Pata. "Local clubs getting together to have some fun for a good cause can show the community, not just soccer community, that we can help to make things better for others. I applaud Denise Smith (MUSA) and Brent Stanze (SCSA) for coming up with an idea and spending the time to implement. SCSA is proud to partner with MUSA for the good of the many."

MUSA President Wally McCaffety agreed with Pata's statements. "This is an incredible opportunity to help support a good cause and raise awareness of the horrible living conditions in the Northern Uganda area. We are happy to support the Eagles organization returning to Gulu this January to break ground on a much needed family facility. We are happy to participate and educate our children on how to help the less fortunate."

The campaign (Gifts for Gulu) is a continuation of the past year's efforts by the Charlotte Eagles professional soccer team, who have partnered with the community to raise over $200,000 for the Good News Community Center in Gulu, Uganda. The center is set to break ground in January, and will be a home and rehabilitation center for the many children who have been put through overwhelming tragedy due to the terrorist activity of the Lord's Rebellion Army in that area.

A group of the Charlotte Eagles will be returning to Gulu in January, a year since their last visit, to be present for the groundbreaking. The team will also help in construction, and distribute thousands of donated items they've collected over the past year. Shocked and moved by what they saw a year ago, the Eagles are excited to be returning and to keep the promise they made to the people a year ago. "We have been so thrilled to see the support of the community behind this campaign." states Nathan Krum of the Eagles " We have never wanted this to be about us, or what we have been able to do. This is about the great need of the children in Africa, and we felt we had a responsibility to tell their story and give them hope. It has also been such a blessing to have partners in the community like MUSA and SCSA, whose desire to impact lives off and on the field has been clearly evident."

For more information on Gifts For Gulu, visit www.giftsforgulu.com or email Sam Casey of the Charlotte Eagles at scasey@charlotteeagles.com. For info on Matthews Union Soccer Association or South Charlotte Soccer Association, visit www.matthewssoccerclub.com, or www.southcharlottesoccer.com.