Club Kids Represent USA at 2010 World Cup
Members have once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to The Coca-Cola Company and Wal-MartJune 30, 2010
Thanks to The Coca-Cola Company and Wal-Mart, four Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta members recently traveled to South Africa to take part in the 2010 World Cup.
Coca-Cola Sales Development Manager for Wal-Mart, Michael Pelletier, and Brookhaven Executive Director, Bobby Dunn, brought four boys who were chosen based on their leadership, mentorship, and time spent at BGCMA. Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club members Justin Barber, Edmundo Robinson, Tomas Chipman, Landon Louizia, ranging from ages 13 to 16, were joined with two others, Shaymel Hardy and Mamady Kourouma, from Rochester, New York. The six teens would go on to the World Cup where they would be a symbol of hope in America.
Not only did Club members travel overseas for the first time, but they were given the opportunity to represent America as flag bearers in their game against Slovenia.
“Locally, Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart collaborated on this World Cup retail program and our targeted nonprofit organization was Boys & Girls Clubs,” Michael Pelletier says. “Through our relationship with FIFA, Coca-Cola had access to the Flag Bearer Program.” The boys carried the U.S. flag onto the field, held it during the introductions and opening ceremony, and were led to their seats to watch the game. “The young men represented themselves, their families, the Boys & Girls Clubs, Coca-Cola, and the United States of America in front of hundreds of millions of viewers all over the globe and did so amazingly well,” Pelletier says. “I’m proud of each and every one of them.”
The boys were there for four days discovering African culture, tasting authentic foods, and celebrating the love of soccer with the world. “It was the most extraordinary thing I have ever done,” Justin Barber says. “The experience of the game really made me appreciate the sport more—and I loved being part of their way of life.”
They spent time at an elephant sanctuary and learned about the mammals’ habitat and its surroundings. They went on a safari to a rhino sanctuary to observe white lions, baby cubs, cheetahs, zebras, pumas, jaguars and tigers, most of which the kids had never seen before. They ate traditional food such as alligator, lamb, bull tongue, and even gathered for Braai, a social tradition where friends and family unite for an African barbeque. Each evening, they gathered to play games with other flag bearers from Spain, Brazil, and Jamaica.
On their last day, the members ventured to an International Village to tour five different South African tribes, where they participated in ritual dances and personal drumming sessions.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is proud to have generous sponsors like The Coca-Cola Company and Wal-Mart who inspire youth, improve lifestyles and help make dreams possible.
