A Juniata College student Pennsylvania, United States, who grew up in Harrisburg is collecting cleats for athletes overseas.
Jacob Grove said he is coming to The Gambia on a volunteer trip with his school next month.
He grew up playing soccer with the Capital Area Soccer Association, before playing in college.
When Grove learned about the conditions young athletes in The Gambia face, he wanted to make a change.
He is now urging community members to drop off cleats and soccer equipment at the Capital Area Soccer Association office in Linglestown, or bring them to games and practices for the next month.
He said he will bring them all with him to donate on his trip.
“It’s something I just wanted to take on over the last few months just so I can say that I made a difference in someone’s life through the sport that has given so much to me,” said Grove.
“They have flip flops and they take duck-tape and wrap their feet and they play on dirt grounds, and I think it’s very important to they protect their feet in order to play the sport that they love,” said Courtney Frye, a Juniata College student also going on the trip.
There are also collection sites at Hunnington Soccer Club and Altoona Soccer Club.
