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Twelve-year-old
Ramie McDowell is collecting shoes for the needy. She will
be at the North Gazebo Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. |
Neighbor
Notes: RM girl helps the needy by giving them shoes
• Adult soccer: They're not too old to play
Published Monday, January 22, 2007
Ramie McDowell
is giving residents the opportunity to help people in need
of something that’s usually
taken for granted -- shoes.
The 12-year-old Murieta girl has organized
a shoe collection event for Jan. 27 at the North Gazebo from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to benefit the Sacramento Clothing Closet,
part of the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services organization.
Ramie is a volunteer at the Oak Park facility, where she spends
four hours a week helping out accompanied by her mother, Lorna
McDowell.
“They are desperately in need of shoes. They
just don’t have enough,” said
Lorna. “They even take shoes that don’t match.”
Ramie is home-schooled
and volunteering is considered an important part of her education.
While it was challenging to find volunteer opportunities for
someone as young as Ramie, it was obviously worth the effort.
Ramie
recently sent the following e-mail to RanchoMurieta.com to
announce the event:
Hi,
My name is Ramie, I am twelve years old and I volunteer at
the Sacramento Clothing Closet. I will be holding a shoe drive on January 27 at the north gazebo
from 10-2. I would appreciate any unwanted shoes for
the needy and the homeless.
Thank you,
Ramie McDowell
On a cold
day last week, as she and her mother prepared to distribute
fliers about the shoe drive, Ramie was hopeful the drive
will coincide with New Year’s resolutions
to clear out and organize closets, and result in a windfall
of footwear for those who need it most.
They're
not
too old for this game
It's
the kids' turn to watch the parents play soccer as the Blitz practice
at Riverview Park.
By
Mark Cohen, team manager
The Blitz
Futbol Club is a Rancho Murieta
adult co-ed soccer club that plays in a competitive outdoor
soccer league in Folsom.
The games are played on Sunday afternoons year-round in 12-week
seasons on an artificial turf field in Folsom. The games are
intense, but it is really a blast to play and compete.
Most of the team members have children that play soccer, and
many are coaches for their children’s teams, so this
is our chance to go out and have some fun.
“It is really cool on game days to see so many families come out to watch
the games including the kids, who play together on the sidelines, and have
a chance to cheer and ‘comment’ on their parents’ playing,” says Sam
Somers, a team captain.
Because the club has men and women players of all ages and
ability levels, husbands and wives from the community who really
want to be part of something are joining and remaining part
of the club.
“The
club is more than just about soccer and exercise,” says
team captain Chris Akin. “There is an important social
bond that you make with the other team members that really
becomes part of it -- and the team parties are awesome.”
The
club holiday party last year was a real blowout with a wine
tasting contest, and a team foosball tournament with $50 gift
certificates to the winners and gifts to all the kids.
Everyone
brought a homemade dish to share and the food and friendship
were great.
We have
a real shot to win the division this season and
it is great to see both individuals and the team improve in
soccer skills and athletic ability each game. It
is not all about winning, but, hey, if you are going to play,
why not win?
The club
gives out trophies for the most valuable, most improved,
and most inspirational players each season.
It is really cool to honor some of the outstanding play and
improvement that our teammates have accomplished.
If you
are interested in becoming a member or a sponsor, please
contact Mark Cohen, team manager, at 354-9670 or mcohen@ranchomurieta.org
Blitz Futbol
Club members
Mark and
Bridget Cohen -- Team
Managers
Sam and Deri Somers -- Team Captain
Chris Akin -- Team Captain
Ryan Thompson and Mimi Thompson
Troy Jones and Chandra Jones
Jeff Light
Erin Howard
Dawn Palmbaum
Darin Passmore
Bob Lucas
Ranjeeca Singh
Sonja Herne
Tom Trapasso
Kendra McElwee
Al Morrison
Amanda Gustin
Neil Hildebrand
Geno Malkiewicz
Paul Davis
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