The kindness and generosity of the Massachusetts Futsal community was evident in the aftermath of the January earthquake in Haiti. Through donations of almost entirely pocket change and small bills, MFA participants and staff raised more than $1,500.

In December, many players purchased exciting styles of headbands compression shorts, supporting the efforts of Halle Burns, who travels to one of the poorest areas of South Africa each year to personally help communities there.

This weekend Renee Dupre will be collecting donations to support her fundraising for the Susan Komen Walk for the Cure, which is a leader in the fight against breast cancer.

We will close out the 2009-10 season with the collection of used futsal and soccer gear -- shoes, shinguards, gloves, balls, etc. We will receive items at the Park School during March 20-21 and 27-28.

Click to learn more about Renee's and Halle's efforts.

More about Halle's effort

Last year my mom, Renee and I journeyed thousands of miles to a township in South Africa to try to make a small difference in the world.  We went to one of the poorest cities on earth to help feed people by creating sustainable gardens, to restore and build homes for the countless homeless, to teach and engage with children who had no school, and to bring hope to a community that has been ravaged by the AIDS virus.

You would think that this South African community would have been the primary beneficiary of this trip.  Surprisingly, the individuals most impacted by this were the volunteers who made the trip (ME!) and the people who were touched by the stories and photos we brought back from our experience. (read the Concord Journal article from January if you have a chance.  There are some photos, too.)

http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/lifestyle/x1621240690/Teen-strives-to-make-a-difference-in-Africa

This year, my mom and I will embark on another 24-hour journey to continue the work we started November 2008.  Mamelodi is a large township just outside of Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa. Due to the injustices of apartheid, Mamelodi is one of the poorest places in South Africa. Crossroads has an existing partnership with a church in Mamelodi called Charity and Faith Mission, and we are joining them in person, to serve their community.  In addition to meeting their immediate needs for food; medical supplies; dental and eye care; shelter for the homeless, and recreation for the children we will continue to work building the permanent infrastructure that provides ongoing health care services, creates jobs, educates children, and transfers skills to help eliminate extreme poverty in this area of South Africa.  In return we know we will receive so much more.

To make this happen, I am asking you, my community and my friends, for your support and to “Jump In” with me once again.   Your support can take on several forms: Prayers.  This trip provides an opportunity to meet the needs of a community that is desperately in need.  I would value your prayers for my team and for those whose lives we are trying to improve.  I believe in the power of prayer, and I am asking you to pray for safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support.

I need to raise $6,000 as my part in achieving the group goal of $1,300,000 for ‘GO Mamelodi’ 2010.   I have tried to be creative to raise the money this year and you may have seen me or my mom selling CRAZY SHORTS at sporting events.  I have raised $500 so far.  I am also once again asking you to participate by sponsoring me with a financial donation.  To make it as easy as possible, I’ve included a page at the end that explains the process for giving and a link to the Mamelodi website where donations can be submitted electronically.   All donations are tax deductible!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter and to consider “Jumping In” with me again.  Here is a quote that I find particularly inspirational and I hope you do to:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  ~Mark Twain

With Gratitude,

Halle Burns

Option #1 – Contribute by Credit Card On-line

Log on to www.crossroads.net/gomamelodi.

Select the “Donate” tab on the left hand side of the page.  Locate my name by using the search box on the right hand side of the page (Search by BURNS, then select HALLE).  After finding my name, click on the donate button below my name.  Enter your payment information and click the submit button. Confirm your personal information and click on the charge-my-card button. You will receive an e-mail confirmation as a receipt.

Option #2 – Contribute by Check Make check payable to “GO Mamelodi”.  Place my name in the memo section of the check. (HALLE BURNS). Fill out the tear sheet below and mail to the address at bottom. Mail to: Halle Burns / 455 Bedford Street / Concord, MA 01742.

More about Renee's effort

On July 23^rd our team, UnTouchableSpirit, will begin our 3^rd walk in support of Susan G Komen for the Cure. We will walk 60 miles over 3 days throughout Massachusetts, ending our journey in Boston. Since her first walk in 2008, I will have raised nearly $9,000 to support breast cancer research. My mom, Theresa Dupre, is again joining me on the walk.

Our team will spend a tremendous amount of time to fundraise for the privilege of walking 60 miles in whatever Mother Nature decides to give us in July. Of course, don’t forget sleeping in the 6 x 6 pink tents at night. The reason we do this is to save the lives of other women.

The goal of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure is to find a cure for breast cancer. The odds of a woman developing breast cancer are 1 in 8. And this disease knows no boundaries. Though less common, men can develop breast cancer as well. Can you imagine a world without it?

Our Boston walk last year alone raised $4 Million dollars to help fund research, education and other programs for breast cancer in a very difficult economic climate. Just recently, Theresa Hines Kerry announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and has begun her own personal battle against this disease. Everyone we speak to knows someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Each member of the team is responsible to raise a minimum of $2,300 to participate in the walk. There are several avenues to support our team.

• You can support by donating online at www.the3day.org/goto/untouchablespirit and choose a team member to support.

• If you want to embark upon an amazing journey yourself, consider joining the cause. There are “Getting Started” meetings across the state.

• We are also sponsoring a raffle. The prize is a pair of Red Sox tickets. And they are not tickets to just any Red Sox game, but a game against our rival, the New York Yankees. We are selling these raffles for $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00. To purchase raffle tickets, please contact us at 508-252-9513. All of the money raised in the raffle will support the members of the team.

The best defense against breast cancer is education, early detection but ultimately a cure. Please help us raise the funding we need to participate in the walk and contribute to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. And perhaps get a chance to watch the Red Sox beat the Yankees again!