As we update our Website from the former Spirrsblog.com to the New Soccerpirrs.com site, I thought it would be more appropriate to start off our Charity Section sequentially, and highlight an organization that has been deeply routed in my life.
United East Athletic Association, better know to my family as “The Club” provided me with a place to grow, learn and share. Growing up the club house located at 70 Mulbury Street overlooking Chinatown’s Columbus Park became a second home to me. As early as I could remember, every Sunday morning I would watch my father and the members of UEAA play soccer on the cement field created by trash cans. I could remember the excitement, the enthusiasm and the passion these “uncles” of mind would have. It didn’t take long for me to latch onto the game. Once I found myself skipping Sunday Mass and Chinese School in order to kick around the sidelines and cheer the adults on, it became clear to me that I too had the same passion for the game.
So, every weekend was filled with a different soccer adventure. As you might imagine, having a large group of Chinese elders playing before you, means you naturally acquire many coaches and teachers. Listening, learning, and experiments drove my interest and soon I found myself doing much more that just playing soccer. UEAA opened my eyes to a new opportunities, not only to learn and experience but to share, help and contribute to the community I called home. Soon soccer adventures became Basketball, Ping Pong, Volleyball, Chess, Lion Dance and most of all Volunteering.
My first involvement with Volunteering was throwing UEAA’s Fun Fun Saturday Program, which provided children of the community with a free one day a week summer camp program. Here the greater Chinese Community was able to learn and explore Sports and education through culture and tradition. Now, the Fun Fun Programs had grown from a few sports and classes with several volunteers to over 20 programs and have seen 100’s of volunteers in it’s 15 years.
To this I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to experience UEAA. Stay tuned for immense stories and memories. For now, as UEAA set a common tone for charity, experiential education, and contributing to the community, I feel it is only appropriate that I salute UEAA with the first post in our Charity Category.
More to come with Current and Future Events. The Spirrs Team is a Proud Supporter of the United East Association. For more information on UEAA please visit their website, ueaa.org.
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