CORNWALL, Ontario – It’s more than a game for Ashleigh Latreille.
Fresh off a gold medal win with the Cornwall Coyotes U-14 A team at the Lakeshore tournament in Montreal, the 13-year-old is hosting a soccer fundraiser in Glen Walter on Sunday to help build a well in Kenya, with a goal of $5,000.
“With a local well, children will have more time for education. They won’t have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. and travel miles and miles to get one single pale of water,” said Latreille.
The inspiration for tackling world issues through social justice sparked at a recent Me to We Leadership Centre ‘Take Action Camp’ in Kawartha Lakes, Ont., and various ‘We Day’ events in cities such as Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto.
“What’s really wrong today is that we put profit above people, greed above need and the rule of gold above the golden rule,” she said. “You can ignore these problems but the thing about the truth is it can be denied, but not avoided.”
Latreille has an opportunity to visit the East African country next summer through the Free The Children organization.
“I want to travel to Kenya to step in a new world and learn about it in someone else’s shoes. Most importantly, I want to volunteer alongside a community and make change,” said Latreille.
Rain or shine, the soccer fundraiser runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday (August 30) at Glen Walter Regional Park (6626 Wine Crescent). Registration is $15 per participant.
In addition to sports action, the event will feature a raffle for items donated by local individuals and businesses. Raffle tickets are also available in advance at He and She Hairstyling in Cornwall.
Sponsors for the event include Grant Marion Construction Ltd., Pommier Jewellers, Jean Coutu, He and She Hair Styling, and Waterview Restaurant, among others.
For more information, email latreilleashleigh@gmail.com.
