As tragedy continues to plague the nation, it is important to recognize the people who continue to spread kindness throughout the world.
This past week a conversation with an old friend stuck with me. It reminded me of one of the most important things in life: passion. Through this conversation I remembered that the reason we do whatever it is that we do is (or should be) passion. Whether it is writing for Odyssey, playing a sport, teaching children or anything in between, we do the things we do because we love them and we feel strongly about them for some reason. A life without passion is one that has no meaning. A life without passion cannot possibly be as fulfilling as one filled with the intense desire to continue to do exactly what you are doing.
With that being said, I want to tell you about a boy. Better yet, I want to tell you about a man. A man who is doing something incredible. A man who I am lucky enough to know. A man who grew up in the same town as me. A man who is the epitome of passionate.
This man's name is Stephen Schirra. Stephen started an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Around the Worlds, Around the World at the age of 23. His organization focuses on sharing Stephen's love of soccer with children around the world. Stephen travels around the world bringing soccer balls, and other equipment, with him to give to underprivileged children. While there, he teaches them about the game, plays with them, and gives them an opportunity to continue to grow in the sport of soccer. Below is a picture of Stephen with children in Ecuador.
Throughout his travels, Stephen has shared his passion with countless children. His love of the sport is one so great that it radiates through the people he meets. In a discussion with Stephen, one cannot doubt the fact that he loves what he does, and that he would not want to be doing anything else. His passion for the sport has allowed him to share 870 soccer balls with over 2,200 kids from 35 different organizations throughout seven countries.
Recently, Stephen was chosen as the New England Revolution's Community MVP. With this, he is a contender for the nationwide MLS Community MVP award. Winning this award would give Stephen and his organization the means to continue to spread their good throughout the world. In a recent Facebook post Stephen wrote, "This $10,000 would be absolutely instrumental in our mission to use soccer to impact the lives of underprivileged children throughout the world."
Stephen has already made an immense impact on the lives of the children he has met, and there is no doubt that he will continue to do so no matter what. He is passionate and he is good. He is a local boy spreading kindness throughout the world; living proof that you can do anything you set your mind to. Most importantly, he is changing the world for the better one soccer ball at a time.
If you would like to learn more about the organization you can visit Around the Worlds, Around the World on Facebook. To help Stephen and his organization in the MLS Community MVP contest please visit the MLS Works website.
