The upcoming documentary highlights the Vernon charity football project

A Vernon local has connected kindness and football in a global charity project.

Shelley Zupp is the founder of The Goal of Kindness, which is a charity that donates football goods to countries around the world.

“I was so blessed to have the opportunity to play soccer with the kids, using the equipment I brought with me,” said Zupp, who donated during his travels to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, Bali and Sri Lanka. “This experience has given me the desire to continue serving in this way.”

The charity began in 2008 when Zupp and her friend Deb Poggemoeller collected 300 soccer jerseys, cleats and balls and shipped them in a container with construction materials and other items destined for Rwanda.

Since then, the collection has continued and spread as over 7,900 jerseys, 732 soccer balls, shorts and cleats donated by the Vernon soccer community have been donated to over 25 countries around the world.

In 2022, Zupp completed a six-month trip in which he distributed soccer equipment to children’s shelters, schools, orphanages and communities in seven countries in Mexico and Central America.

An upcoming documentary about Zupp’s travels will behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EpaD-evaeY by Inspire Kindness and distributed on social media channels, along with a release at the Vernon Towne Theater in the fall.

“This project means so much more than kids getting a new jersey,” Zupp said. “The feedback we’ve received over the years has been so encouraging and moving.”

As part of the documentary, dozens of soccer players recently came to say “goodness” on a field for a drone strike.

More information can be found at thegoalofkindness.com.