2025 COMMUNITY OUTREACH CHALLENGE
In addition to the camp homework I assign students every year, I also challenge my students to become involved in their community to raise their awareness of the global community around them. It is far too easy to get swept up into our busy lives, the daily grind, and our own microscopic circle of influence. I am certainly a culprit of that. Hence the Dynasty Goalkeeping Community Outreach Challenge was developed to get ALL of us to broaden our circles of influence!
Initially the program began with students donating gear for children in need around the world and has grown from there. Thus far Dynasty has been involved with the following organizations Carolina For Kibera, Coaches Across Continents, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), Equipment Across Continents (a branch of Coaches Across Continents), and Sports United a sport diplomacy program organized through the U.S. State Department to encourage cultural exchange and female empowerment.
In 2010 the Dynasty Goalkeeping Community Outreach Challenge took our generosity one step further. I challenged students to ACT BEYOND THEMSELVES and get involved with a project that meant something to them and to ‘donate’ some of their TIME to help others. The feedback I received from the students and parents was tremendous, so giving back to your community has become a core value of the Dynasty family of goalkeepers.
It is in acting that we have our most profound effect, because there simply is nothing more valuable than your time. So, to set aside some of your precious time to help another human being (animal or the planet) speaks volumes. The recipient will certainly be tremendously grateful for any help you can give, but the effect it will have on your own life will be where the most value lies. The gratitude and love you receive back from the people you help is addicting and powerful. Try it and you will see what I mean.
Here is the list of the volunteer work that Dynasty staff and students (listed by the camp week they attended) reported in 2024! This is GREAT STUFF! I am proud of all of you — you guys inspire me to do more!!!
If you were a 2025 student/staff that did volunteer this year and your name isn’t on this list, it is because you didn’t email me! I can’t report on something I don’t know! Please email me so I can update!
STAFF
TRACY NOONAN – Spring & Fall 2025 – Chapel Hill, NC
I have continued my volunteer work this year coaching the goalkeepers on both the girl’s (spring) and boy’s (fall) squads (varsity and JV) at Chapel Hill High School (21 hours). The fall season with the boys’ team was particular exciting as they made it all the way to the NCHSAA 7A State Finals! It was an exciting final versus Marvin Ridge with our boys coming back to tie the game with mere seconds on the clock, only to suffer a heart-breaking 2-1 loss in overtime.
In addition to working with the high school goalkeepers, I wanted to get involved in the community this year in a different way. I was inspired to get involved with PORCH based on the work of one of our local Chapel Hill students Claire Zwaryczuk who organizes community food pick-ups for PORCH. After reading about the organization through Claire’s work I decided I wanted to learn more. PORCH is a local food pantry that collects food and monetary donations to provide fresh and non-perishable food to local families in need. I assisted one afternoon with repacking produce that was donated from local grocery stores. We sifted through bags and bags of grape throwing out all the bad grapes! While it was very monotonous work, I could see the importance and value in the healthy food options provided for local families in need. I think at times we forget that many families within our own community simple do not have the luxury of buying nutritious foods for their family on a limited budget. PORCH helps fill this gap, so everyone has access to healthy food! (2 hours)
STUDENTS
WEEK 1
CAT APKER – 2025 – Cortland, NY & Easton, PA
Cat found pockets of time this year between school and soccer to volunteer both at home and while at school at Lafayette College where she is a member of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee). At school she participated in a community center project helping paint and renovate a room as well as reading to children at a local elementary school. And anytime she is back home she gets involved assisting at practices with her old high school soccer and basketball team as well as coaching gks in her old club!
It isn’t easy as a college student to find time to volunteer, well done staying involved both at home and while at school!
AINSLEY CHUNN – Spring 2025 – Charleston, SC
“For my community outreach this year, a couple of my teammates and I cleaned up litter with the Keep Charleston Beautiful project. For our work, we walked through a litter-heavy area in North Charleston picking up garbage and debris from the side of the road, outside buildings, parking lots, etc. In just two hours we picked up over
200 pounds of litter from the roadways on the upper peninsula!”
WOW! That’s a lot of litter in just 2 hours. Easy and impactful work from you and your teammates! Bonus you got to be outside!
GREENLEY DUPLANTIS – February 15, 2025 – Mobile, AL
“I spent 4 hours at the Friends for the Mobile Animal Shelter on Saturday February 15th, 2025. I helped walk the dogs, clean out kennels, and refill water. I plan to volunteer more next semester when I return to Mobile.”
Great smile Greenley! Clearly you had a GREAT day at the shelter with the pups! I love that you are getting out into your new college community to give back! Great for the animals AND your mental health! WIN-WIN!
CAROLINA SIMPKINS – 2025 – Fayetteville, NC
“I’ve actually been working on being more involved with my community this year, as it’s something I’ve become very passionate about. I am the head of a club here at Methodist called “Delight” and we’ll be making fleece tie blankets to donate. In addition, I’m working on getting together menstrual supplies to donate to Ethiopia ( I’m working with our Reverend at Methodist, so she has more information). My mom also brought up a program in Fayetteville called No One Dies Alone, so I signed up to volunteer, but I’m waiting to hear back from them.”
Great job finding multiple ways to become involved on campus that have a profound impact far beyond your school borders!
WEEK 2
CLAIRE ZWARYCZEK – 2025 – Chapel Hill, NC
Claire continued her work for PORCH, an organization that helps bring food to families in need from neighborhood porches. She has been volunteering with PORCH for several year and spent 24 hours over the past year as a coordinator organizing grocery pickups and drop offs at the PORCH hub, as well as recruiting new contributors in her neighborhood. She also donated blood as local blood bank reserves are always in need!
WAY TO GO CLAIRE! Love that you have been a long-term volunteer for PORCH as that helps their stability and have found new ways to give to the community this year.
WEEK 3
ADDISON EDWARDS – February 2025 – Lugoff, SC
“I volunteer for 7 hours at the Tim Tebow Foundation “Night to Shine” event. As promoted on the website, Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. I helped prepare and serve food for the volunteers and the participants of “Night to Shine”. Throughout the night I was basically “waiting tables” for the participants and making the food for them. Then at the end of the night, we all went and danced with the participants to make it feel extra special for them. At the conclusion of the evening, I was assigned to help give out goody bags and help escort each participant to their car/bus.”
That looked like a fun night for everyone involved!
MOLLY BURKE – 2025 – Ann Arbor, MI
“I am one of the presidents of the Women in Sports Club at my school. We have done a lot over the years to raise money for young girls in need of sports equipment, especially shoes for running as well as scholarships to participate. This past year, I have helped organize volunteers for marshaling the Girls on the Run 5K race as well as the Ann Arbor Marathon. We have also done fundraisers through bake sales as well as a Chipotle revenue sharing fundraiser. We have been able to help put on important events in our community as well as raise around $1000 for girls in need. The majority of our money raised goes to scholarships for Girls on the Run as well as their shoe donation fund where every $65 donated is a pair of shoes going to someone in need!”
What a cool outreach project that directly impact young female athletes!
WEEK 4
EVELIA DEMERA – Spring-Fall 2025 – Cranford, NJ
“My outreach project is being done with some of my friends from school to create a club that focuses on raising awareness and support for mental health. We are still in the planning stages, but we are most likely going to have bi-monthly meetings. In the world that we are in now, teenagers feel a lot of anxiety and stress. Many are too scared to ask for help and when given help it is usually from adults. With this club, it would allow peers to help each other navigate the stress and challenges of juggling school, personal life and any other life stress.”
Evelia had great plans to start a mental health club at her school only to find out one already existed!
“A mental health club has been started at my school, but I didn’t know about it despite having talked to one of the advisors at my school. I plan to get involved with the club which is forming. In addition, last week I had the opportunity to volunteer at my county’s adoption day with my girl scout troop. It was so great to see how happy all the newly formed families looked, it really made my day.”
Well done shifting gears Evelia and finding new ways to get involved!
LUCI REMLEY – 2020-2025+ – Littleton, CO
“For the past 5 years my sister and I have made products to sell in my mom’s boutique in Castle Rock, Colorado. I make T-Shirts, earrings and hair clips. Each year we choose a cause that is in our direct community that we believe would most benefit from our sales and 50% of everything we sell goes to that family in December (the other 50% I contribute to my soccer expenses!). This all started because in 2020 my soccer coach’s son Whitten-John was diagnosed with cancer and a rare kidney disease. That year I asked how we could help the Carole family and this is what we came up with. The next year we chose to give to a Denver City School for kids in Foster Care. We delivered the check in person, and they allowed us to come have a day in the school to hang out with all the kids. This last year we supported a group that provides Christmas gifts to low-income families with a special needs family member called Developmental Pathways. We were able to deliver the gifts in person and meet the families. This year we have a family friend who’s 16-year-old son Caleb was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. She is a single mom of 3 and doing all she can to provide while her son is in treatments. So far this year we have been able to donate $2,000 towards Caleb’s care and hope to double that before Christmas. Here is a photo of us selling our products at a pop-up event in addition to my mom’s shop.
In addition to this ongoing community outreach project, I have been volunteering within my soccer club (Real Colorado) as a gk coach for the younger groups. During this last spring I spent 2 hours every Tuesday working with the 2016-2013 goalkeepers as well as helped run a 4-week camp on Fridays for the 2016s.”
Love how you have channeled your creative energy into a meaningful outreach project that has versatility! VERY COOL!
MADI ROSS – Spring 2025 – Cape Elizabeth, ME
Madi participated in several outreach projects in her community this year. Some on her own and others through Cape Elizabeth Middle School.
- Poem reading to residents in the Memory Care home of Woodlands Senior Living (2 hours)
- Explore, where you get to choose what you are interested in for a period of the day once a week. I chose teaching elementary kids at Pond Cove Elementary School about mindfulness. Even after the Explore session was over, I went back with two of my friends to one of the classrooms for the rest of the semester. Once per week (sometimes twice), spanning from October to January, (about 21 hours).
- We made cards for Cardz for Kidz , which is a service that delivers cards to kids who need them. We also made and delivered in person cards for preschoolers and people at the Senior Home.
- Maine Needs is for people who are experiencing homelessness. They distribute care kits for people who need it. I made mini warmth kits. (1 hour)
- Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland As part of our Student Council outreach we went to Target and Petco to shop for animals with a supply list from the shelter. (5 hours)
GREAT variety of outreach projects Madi!
HELEN SOHEILI – Spring 2025 – Washington DC
“I recently volunteered for 3 hours to support an organization called Bethesda Cares. The purpose of Bethesda Cares is to create community and provide care to unhoused people in the Montgomery County area. To support the organization, I bought ingredients for 50 turkey and cheese sandwiches, made the sandwiches, and packed and delivered them to the organization, which distributed the lunch to those in need. My school has an existing partnership with Bethesda Cares, which is part of why I chose the organization. Another reason I chose Bethesda Cares is that I believe everyone should have access to food and the dignity of a nice meal. Additionally, food security is a big determinant of people’s success in school. It is unfair for kids to grow up with fewer opportunities just because they were born into a family without food security, so I believe everyone should be doing their part to help out. My school has a goal of donating 150 sandwiches per week to Bethesda Cares, so I was happy to help contribute to that goal.”
What a simple yet meaningful way to make an impact!
WEEK 5
CHLOE BLIGH – June 2025 – Coral Gables, FL
“I completed 25 hours of service this past year, including 12 for an organization that is very dear to my heart — ICU Baby. The reason why ICU Baby is so special is that my triplet sisters and I were born premature at 31 weeks, weighing between 2 and 3 pounds. We spent 6 weeks in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) because we were so small and had various medical issues when we were born. We feel very blessed that the doctors and nurses helped save our lives, so in order to give back, we became Youth Ambassadors for ICU Baby two years ago and have helped them in various ways. Their main mission is to support families whose babies are in the NICU by either helping them with meals, transportation, financial assistance, emotional support and so much more. In the last year, my sisters and I have helped serve NICU families during suppers of support, as well as traveled to the NICU to help distribute frames containing photos of fathers with their tiny babies on Father’s Day. In the past, we have also helped create gift bags and wrapped Christmas presents for the NICU siblings, as well as helped at their annual Hope Parade, during which they raise money for all of these wonderful programs. If you want to see more visit this instagram post for more information about our outing on Father’s Day, which was so emotional for us because we got to give back at the very NICU where we spent the first few weeks of our lives.
Chloe, what an AMAZING way to give back to an organization that is so near and dear to your family! WOW!
ANNA FORD – June 2025 – Summersville, WV
“I just returned from my ASP mission trip, and I’m really excited to share about it. This was my fourth year participating in my church’s annual service trip with the Appalachia Service Project. This year, we traveled to Summersville, West Virginia, where we worked about 7 hours each day—around 35 hours total for the week. My team was assigned to two amazing homeowners who were incredibly welcoming and generous. We worked on finishing their deck and redoing their bathroom. Over the week, we built amazing relationships within our group and with the homeowners, sharing meaningful conversations and lunch with them every day. I look forward to this week every year—it’s always such a meaningful experience. At ASP, we have a saying: “It’s about building relationships with a side of construction.” After this past week, I truly have felt the meaning behind that.”
VERY COOL outreach work Anna! Keep up the great work!
BRIGHID LEE – Summer/Fall 2025 – Raleigh, NC
“This year I have been involved with FFA, Future Farmer’s of America. Thus far we have concluded the planning and are just starting the implementation of the project. FFA is a student-led organization around the United States. This organization practices leadership skills and prepares students for career success. During the summer I went on a service-learning project partnered with Habitat in Humanity in mid to late July. During this project I worked roughly 8 hours on exterior beautification. We sanded benches, painted a garage door, laid gravel, and stained wood posts. I participated in all of these activities but mainly focused on moving gravel and staining wood. After this project was completed, we worked on creating a flower bed that enhanced the presence of the building, creating a warm and welcoming environment. This activity was a part of Millbrooks POA (Program of Activities). In mid-August FFA officers reported to school for two full 8 hour days of planning. This was a time for us to continue to come up with more POA activities that help serve our community. I was paired with another officer (Toby), and we were tasked with helping plan SPARK. This is a welding competition where teams of four students are partnered with an industry professional. This competition allows fabrication businesses to work with students giving them a taste of the workforce. Toby and I created a potential list of industry professionals that could be interested in the competition. We then created a materials list since Millbrook High School was hosting the event. After this planning was done, we moved on to our second POA, a community outreach for younger kids. Toby and I were tasked to come up with a concept for a little library. This project was designed to get kids involved in agriculture with books. We planned a book drive that will be held at the end of November for high school students to drop off old books that kids might enjoy. Our last POA was about chemical safety. Toby and I are planning and creating safety frames for chemicals used in our greenhouse showing students how to properly mix and use chemicals safely. We are also putting up signs around campus for students to scan and learn about different dangerous plants and chemicals that might be found around our school. Overall coming up and creating these POA activities has helped me see how a small action can help change and improve one’s community.” (25+ hours so far)
AMAZING work Brighid! I love how passionate you are about FFA! You are becoming a great leader and mentor inspiring young girls to be more involved in welding! SUPER COOL!
LILY SELVY – Spring 2025 – Saint Louis, MO
“A few months ago, I started volunteer coaching the younger goalkeepers at my club Lou Fusz. It is something I have actually really enjoyed. It has actually sparked an interest in coaching for me. Every Wednesday in the spring, my club has a session for female goalkeepers (age range about 9-12). Along with my goalkeeper coach Nick, I helped run the sessions. I did a lot of the demos, or sometimes I just did the drill with them if there was an odd number. I also hit services and gave feedback. It was so fun because I was doing something I love with fresh, energetic faces. All the girls were really willing to implement our feedback, and it was so cool to see them improve. The goalkeeping position is a hard job but really rewarding if you stay at it! So, I just want to give the younger girls someone to look up to and keep them excited about goalkeeping!
Lily, you are an awesome role model for those young girls!!!
EVIE WELTI – July 2024-July 2025 – Harper’s Ferry, WV
“I am involved in community service in various ways through St. James the Greater Catholic Church. Every year my church takes a mission trip to Webster Springs WV. We go down for a week to
help spread the faith while also repairing the homes of the residents in need. Last summer I went and was assigned to repair the roof of a young couple. It was a great time to grow deeper in my faith and also help those in need with some of my close friends. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it this year, but I plan to go again in 2026. (40 hours)
In addition, during the holidays my church has a program where they deliver food and presents to struggling families who aren’t able to afford it. My Mom and I delivered food to families for Thanksgiving and again for Christmas. (8 hours)
Lastly, I am a member of the Altar Guild at my church. Our job is to set up and clean up before and after mass on Sunday. During the school year, we gather once a month to do housekeeping chores around the church. Some examples of these tasks are removing wax, washing, and ironing the vestments of the Altar servers and Priests, and organizing and cleaning the pews. I am a Senior member which means I am also in charge of training the new members on what they will be doing. (1 hour/week)”
Evie, great job finding small and big ways to be involved and make an ongoing impact in your community and beyond!