Local Youth Raise Funds for NCH Breast Center

The Elite Soccer Community Organization (ESCO) Youth Leaders, in partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts Arlington Park, presented a check for $2,100 to Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) Breast Center's Gift a Mammogram Program on November 7th. Throughout October, ESCO coordinated Elite S.C. players to wear pink jerseys and pink shoe laces in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over 550 jerseys were sold, with proceeds benefitting NCH, as well as Lemons of Love, a local non-profit that provides care packages to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, ESCO Youth Leaders organized a service project and sold over 1,000 pink bracelets that said, “Kick Cancer.” Finally, ESCO sponsored a “Pink Out” game on October 30th, featuring Elite S.C.’s U17 Girls NPL team, where fans were encouraged to wear pink. Dunkin’ Donuts Arlington Park sold pink donuts, hot chocolate and coffee, and donated proceeds to the NCH. The ESCO Youth Leaders also sold 50/50 raffle tickets and raised money at half-time activities.

“ESCO was founded as a way for Elite Soccer to be able to give back locally. This annual effort is just one thing we can do as an organization to raise awareness and additional funds to help the causes that support local residents in need,” said Mike Steele, President of Elite Soccer and of ESCO’s Board of Directors.

Executive Director of Cancer Services at NCH, Rhea Trbojevic, said, “NCH is dedicated to all the women of our community and to ensuring that they have access to the best possible care right here close to home. Mammograms save lives, and we are proud to be the first healthcare provider in the Chicago area to offer the most advanced 3D imaging for all mammograms at NCH. A reality that we continue to face is that many hard-working women still lack the resources to afford a mammogram. Generous support from the community is critical to purchasing the latest technology and ensures access for these women in need. That ESCO partners with us in this way is heartwarming. That it does so through our community’s children is truly inspiring. They are saving lives and keeping families whole. We are extremely grateful.”

Formed in 2010 as the non-profit arm of Elite Soccer, ESCO’s mission is to build community by developing youth through soccer. The Youth Leaders are part of ESCO’s Youth Leadership Program and are provided with opportunities and experiences that foster leadership development, youth empowerment, and self-reflection. Aimed at promoting personal and social development, the program develops and enhances leadership skills and attitudes mostly through volunteer coaching experiences and service project participation. For more information about ESCO and its Youth Leadership Program, visit www.elitesoccercommunity.org.