10th Anniversary Newsletter - August 2016

Kick For Nick 2006 -2016
Fulfilling Nick's wish & honoring his memory by bringing joy and hope to to under-privileged children around the world through the gift of a simple soccer ball.
"My friends and I still play on Madaras field and we honor him everyday. What he did took not only bravery but a strong heart that was able to say goodbye. I hope you still rest in peace Nick." 
                                                              - as posted on the KFN site
 

The field mentioned above is located behind the middle school that Nick attended in Wilton, CT. Over the years thousands of children have read the inscription mounted at its entrance as they enter to play the game that Nick loved.

Following are some special memories from 2012 - 2014 that highlight the trips Shalini Madaras has taken to personally delivery soccer balls to children around the world. 
KFN India - Shalini
2012

In October 2012 Shalini Madaras took a group on a tour of her native land, India. In Chennai they delivered Kick For Nick soccer balls to the "Seed" school (Society for Educational & Economic Development).  

The school provides shelter, food, & education for 271 children from ages 3 thru 18. These are children of murder victims, life-prisoners, leprosy or terminally-ill patients, and prostitutes. The education program includes academics, vocational training & principles based on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
Chris in India
2013

In June 2013, Shalini & Chris Madaras visited the Siena Home/St. Lucy School in south India. This Home & School was established in memory of a young girl from Katonah, NY and houses about 600 children who were rescued after being sold by their families to harvest sunflower fields or tend buffalo herds. Shalini & Chris distributed soccer balls and jerseys collected by parents in the Wilton Soccer Association as well as several other organizations and donors.
2014
Kick for Nick in Bhutan
Kick For Nick in Bhutan

From Shalini: "In my discovery of Bhutan, and all the wonders of nature, rich culture, history, and spiritual beauty that so strongly emanates from this country, the thing which touched me the deepest is the Prayer Flags that are everywhere. The spiritual belief is that the prayers and mantras are blown by the wind to spread peace, compassion, strength and wisdom into all space and to all those who are touched by them. 

For Nick, and the Kick for Nick Foundation - a soccer ball is Nick's prayer flag.  With it he shares compassion, good will and friendship to all who are touched by it.  To this purpose his name is written on every single ball which is distributed.
also in 2014
In addition to Bhutan, Shalini also visited the Abhaneri Village School in Rajasthan, India. The school was started by a local farmer on his own property to provide basic education for the village children, some of whom walk for hours from their own villages to get to the school. 

The photo of the little boy was taken in a tribal village half-way between Agra and Jaipur where Shalini stopped to deliver balls to the children.
by December 2014 - 41,318 soccer balls had been distributed
This Memorial Day I am honoring PFC Nick Madaras. Nick was my Soldier, I trained him. Nick died doing what I trained him to do. Nick was everything we aspire to be. I can truly say Nick was beautiful. On this day remember those who gave so much, so we may live. Honor those who have lost so much for us. Take time today to read about Nick and know what has been lost for you.
   - MSG Dale Roberts (Ret.) as posted on Facebook  
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Kick For Nick | www.KickForNick.org
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