LA GRANGE, Ill. – One-hundred school soccer teams from the Chicago area put their rivalries on pause Sunday to take on a common opponent – teen homelessness.
Teen athletes competing in the Body Armor Series Soccer Tournament collected thousands of hygiene items and raised money to help their peers in need.
“One of the essential ingredients of this tournament is their extension to support and care for others,” Head Soccer Coach of Wheaton Warrenville South High School Guy Callipari said.
Callipari emphasized the game and tournament raise awareness to important causes, with this year’s emphasis on self care.
“The only way to sell that cause is not only by giving something physically, but also have them partake in it so it’s ingrained into their behaviors and their values,” he said.
Across the field, reminders highlighted the five key aspects to self care:
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Recovery
- Self Actualization
All of the above are values Callipari tries to instill in his team.
For De La Salle Institute Senior Agustin Ortega, these practices have been essential for his performance and, as of lately, for his ankle recovery, helping him return to the field stronger.
“I recently came off an injury and the most important part, I have to clean the wound. I got to stay healthy. I got to do everything in my power to get better. Hygiene is a very important part,” Ortega said.
Boxes of bodywash, toothpaste, shampoo and other essential hygiene products will all be donate to La Casa Norte, an organization that serves the youth and families confronting homelessness.
“I think the things we take for granted for, that we have in our bathroom every single day, that people struggle to have,” Callipari said.
The student-athletes hope that by providing these essentials to those in need, they can support healthier lifestyles while fostering a sense of empowerment.
‘We’re all gonna remember we helped the community,” Ortega said.
The hygiene kits will be delivered to La Casa Norte later this week, wile a $5,000 check will be donated to the Colon Club.