Community Extra: Applause

Published 9:08 pm Wednesday, August 14, 2013

County teens teach soccer in Cambodia

Three high school soccer players from Snohomish County traveled to Cambodia from July 18-Aug. 1 to share their soccer skills and compassion with girls who have been rescued from the streets.

They were Winter Wirkkala, Granite Falls High School; Olivia Carter, Jackson High School; and Reimi Pieters, Edmonds-Woodway High School. During the trip, the girls played in a soccer tournament, participated in daily soccer clinics and visited children at local orphanages and safe houses.

They also brought new sports equipment to share with the Cambodian soccer players.

The girls also taught computer skills, English and other subjects at a nearby Cambodian school.

It wasn’t until eight years ago that Cambodian girls were even allowed to play soccer in their country. Through the work of SALT Academy and Cambodia Soccer, Cambodia now has an official girls’ soccer program.

More info: www.cambodia soccer.org or www.saltacademy.net.

Businesses, volunteers help Sultan Food Bank

At the National Night Out celebration in Gold Bar, local businesses and volunteers operated the event and provided hot dogs, popcorn, and water to the attendees. In lieu of payment for the provisions, attendees were given the opportunity to donate to the Sultan Food Bank. A total of $61 was collected.

To submit news for Applause, email newstips@heraldnet.com.