COHANSEY SOCCER CLUB, INC.
The Wham Project is is run by the Cohansey Soccer Club and collects Humanitarian Aid supplies for shipment to the US Army for distribution in Iraq and Afghanistan. We specialize in new and used soccer equipment, but also collect and ship school supplies and personal items for our deployed soldiers. Our brochure is available here for download and contains some info and photos from our past collections and shipments.
In 2008, the Cohansey Soccer Club, Upper Deerfield Township, New Jersey partnered with Captain Ari Cohen, originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army to help the children of Al Batha, Iraq play soccer. Elements of the 82nd Airborne were in that area and had become involved with youth soccer there. This involvement resulted in tremendous good will with the local citizenry, showing them the true spirit of the American people. The effects were far reaching; building trust and a mutual respect which not only benefits the Iraqi children, but also service members who are currently serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq.
They only had a field and some goals, but not much else. Ari, who is a former youth soccer player from the Cherry Hill area, contacted his father Steve, and asked him to help gather new or used soccer equipment for the children of Al Batha Steve sprang into action and began contacting local youth soccer clubs to see if there was any surplus equipment that could be donated.
The Cohansey Soccer Club was preparing to host its 14th annual soccer tournament and approached Steve about having the Cohansey Soccer Tournament serve as a collection point for the surplus equipment. The collection was a success and over 50 boxes of equipment were collected and shipped to Iraq.
Well, a few years have gone by and we are still collecting soccer equipment. The following new or used equipment is needed: cleats, shin guards, uniforms, shorts, shirts, soccer balls, referee gear, etc.
So, please, check the closets, basements and garages for items that your soccer players have out grown or no longer use.
If your club or team is interested in donating your new/used soccer equipment, please contact Joe D’Alessandro.
NBC10 News Footage
June 2008
Equipment Collection
Cohansey Tournament, June 2008
Equipment Distribution
Iraq, June 2008
