Olympic Gold Medalist Kicks Off Summer Feeding Program
As a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in soccer and native of Kalamazoo, MI, I have been fortunate to travel the world playing the sport I love.
And along the way, I have learned so many life lessons. I’ve always been passionate about sharing my learnings with younger people to help them set a foundation for their own personal success.
Three years ago, my partners, Milk Means More and AFC Ann Arbor, and I came together to launch this passion project called Community Kicks. Community Kicks brings together three things that I have always prioritized, and feel were vital to my success: soccer skills, life lessons, and nutrition.
Lindsay teaching at a 2019 Community Kicks site.
Our mission with Community Kicks is to teach basic soccer skills and the value of nutrition while relating them to skills needed to be successful in life. We encourage working hard to achieve a goal, believing in the journey and staying persistent even when dealing with adversity.
So, how will the program work this year due to Coronavirus and social distancing?
Instead of being in person once a week for four weeks, we’ve put together virtual sessions in which I demonstrate essential soccer drills. You can find the descriptions on an activity bag being distributed at summer feeding sites around the state or tune in weekly to video lessons found here.
As with anything in life, the physical skill of a craft is very important. This year you will see me teaching the basics of dribbling, passing, juggling, and volleying the ball. Our goal is to show basic concepts and help children stay physically active while learning and working on the skill of the week. Let’s go!!!
Life lessons have always played an intriguing role in my career. I learned when I was very young to set goals, work hard to accomplish them even while dealing with setbacks, and to always stay focused on the goals. Nothing in life comes easy and I want to share my insight on being persistent, believing in yourself, continuing to be motivated and to always be the best version of yourself.
Along with soccer skills and life lessons, we correlate it to making my favorite Strawberry-Banana smoothie. Adding essential ingredients, strawberries, bananas, milk, and yogurt we help the children see just like life, you must have all the ingredients/skills to make it all work!
We appreciate the support of our partners to make this program so unique and successful. We’ve been able to work with hundreds of children across the state of Michigan and enjoy making a positive impact in society.
A participant from 2019.
So this year, it might look a little different seeing me virtually vs. in person, but make sure you click on the link on your paper bag that you received from a Meet Up and Eat Up site work hard to develop your skills and always remember to DREAM BIG.
Until next time my Community Kickers!
To find a Meet Up and Eat Up summer food service program site in your area, click here.
