Restoring youth soccer in New Orleans
Senior Karina Davis, an avid soccer player, is also a New Orleans enthusiast. She visited The Crescent City with her mother some three years ago and was immediately hooked on the culture, the people and the local flavor. She saw first-hand how devastated the city remained in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and was struck with a desire to help. Her goal: helping restore youth soccer to the once vibrant playing fields of New Orleans.
Davis decided to make this her senior project and joined forces with the Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer Association to host an exhibition soccer game on May 7 at 7 p.m. at Arnold Field. In a “rookies v. veterans” match, the game will be a contest between the Valley’s coaches, alumni players and league members pitted against Sonoma Valley Youth Select soccer players.
“It sickened me to think about kids in New Orleans not having the same opportunity that I’ve had to play soccer,” said Davis. “Soccer has had such an strong impact on my life, which is what motivated me to put on this event and help other kids have the same opportunity to participate. I chose to make this my project because I wanted to make a difference in the Crescent City and also honor the game of soccer.”
All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Carrollton Soccer Association of New Orleans, La. Tickets prices are $5 for presale, $7 at the door or $20 for a family and friends “group rate.”
Davis has received a proclamation by Mayor Steve Barbose for her dedication to the city of New Orleans. Stating her senior project has gone far beyond a one-time fundraiser, the city council applauded her efforts to involve the community of Sonoma in New Orleans’ recovery. In addition to the upcoming soccer game, Davis has also hosted two art shows featuring striking black-and-white photographs of a post-Katrina New Orleans with proceeds from both shows donated to that city’s nonprofits. She has also worked tirelessly to educate those around her on the fabric if New Orleans using slide shows for her history and art classes, an after school art program and more.
To bring the true flavor of New Orleans to the event, Davis has enlisted the help of her mother. Chef Sheana Davis of the Epicurean Connection will be cooking red beans and rice and grilled andouille sausage. Operation Youth will also be there with additional food concessions and the Barking Dog will have coffee available, too.
Karina Davis will be playing in the match as a rookie. Her goal is to raise at least $1,000 to donate to Carrollton Soccer Association.
For more information donations or presale tickets, contact Karina Davis at 332.4654, 935.7960 or kdavis517@gmail.com. Or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/group.php?gid=115002585187093&v=info&ref=mf.
To make separate donation, make checks payable to Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer Association. Donation boxes are located around town at Sebastiani Theatre, The Epicurean Connection, Ben & Jerry’s, and Barking Dog Roasters. You may also send any amount to the following: Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer Association (Restoring Youth Soccer Project), P. O. Box 1992, Sonoma, CA 95476.
