“I felt inspired to help because I love soccer and I don’t know what I would do without it” – Sean
An Eagle Scout Service Project is the opportunity for a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community. In order to complete this endeavor, 15 year-old Sean McManus reached out to Peace Passers. All in all Sean collected over 1,000 items of soccer gear from his community in Spotsylvania, VA.
After Sean and his fellow troops counted and organized the equipment Peace Passers connected him to a collaborative partner Chris Crane who’s efforts are focused in Nicaragua with The Pulsera Project (check out www.pulseraproject.org ). With a packed SUV, Sean & his dad drove the gear 3 ½ hours from their home in Spotsylvania, VA to meet Chris in West Chester, PA. Chris Crane explained “The soccer equipment that Sean collected and donated to Peace Passers will go to youth in Nicaragua living in the poor neighborhoods of San Marcos, Masaya, Managua, as well as to a youth shelter on Ometepe Island, called Sí a la Vida. In all of these locations we work with community leaders to provide opportunities for young people, and that includes the opportunity to be part of a soccer team. Soccer teams provide youth communities with a great foundation of fun and fellowship that helps kids become the best they can be.”
The service experience is explained best by Sean himself, “Knowing that I am having a positive impact on the lives of other youth makes me feel great. This donation drive was different than other drives I have participated in before. It was personal to me and I felt like I was in the driver’s seat. Also this time, I will know exactly who the donations are going to (youth in Nicaragua) and will be able to actually see the impact of my project. I felt inspired to help because I love soccer and I don’t know what I would do without it. To provide other people with the opportunity to play means the world to me.”
Sean’s insightful remarks: “I was also inspired by the quote from Winston Churchill, ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’ I have learned that I can make a difference in the world. Thank you Peace Passers for giving me this opportunity to help serve!”
Check out more of Sean’s amazing photos on the Peace Passers Facebook page. And don’t forget to ‘like us’ and share with friends!