Hi, My name is Payton Rudnick. I started working with Peace Passers in May 2010. At that time, I was working on my Mitzvah project. I wanted it to be about something that I was passionate about. I am passionate about soccer. I have been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. My first coaches were Darren Nitchaporick and Deborah Roty. I believe that their love of the game influenced my continued participation. I currently play soccer for Tucson Soccer Academy (TSA) and my coaches are Bruce Carris and Steve Tkachyk. Their continued passion for the game and coaching techniques over the last several years have motivated me to become a better player and person. I feel extremely fortunate to be involved with soccer as well as other youth sports. Youth sports and especially team sports has tough me so much about life in a fun environment. I have developed character through my experiences such as good sportsmanship, integrity, learning to concentrate when it matters and when it does not matter as much, loyalty, discipline, conditioning, communication skills, performing under pressure, learning to deal with unfair judgment calls, successes on the field, and failure. I also feel lucky to have a loving family and get to live in such a great country. During my investigation into my Mitzvah project I realized there are thousands of children who would love to experience what I do every day. I considered it a privilege to be able to work on a project that brings at least a part of the joy I get to experience (most of the time) to children throughout the world. I made my initial goals during the first year and was so inspired by the work I decided to continue collecting on behalf of Peace Passers and children all over the world.

In 2010 I spent time researching non profit organizations that involve soccer and youths. I was impressed with Peace Passers and decided to serve their cause. Peace Passers takes donated items and distributes them to children throughout the world. I encourage you to go to their site (http://peacepassers.org/) and read more about this inspiring non-profit organization. My goals were to initially collect 250 balls, 250 jerseys, and 2,500.00 dollars. The items were then to be shipped to Peace Passers in Charlotte, NC. From this point they were to be distributed to needy children around the world. I planed to reach my goals by participating in the major soccer events being held in Tucson. I had collection booths and utilized sponsors and different media forms in order to meet my goal. I also planed to pick up donated items from teams and/or individuals in between these events at pre-scheduled times on practice fields.

It is my hope you will decide to join me in continueing to provide some hope and fun to the underprivileged youth in the world by donating an old or new jersey and/or an old or new soccer ball. I will have soccer balls available that you can purchase for $10 at The Tucson Association of Realtors Shootout. You will be able to write a message on the ball if you would like before it is sent to Peace Passers. As a thank you, I will provide a wrist band for each donation. You can also use the link to Peace Passers to provide a monetary donation. For any cash donation over $25 you will receive a Peace Passers T-shirt. I have other promotions planned which will be posted in the near future if the potential sponsors make the funds available. I am excited to be working on such a worthwhile project that has personal meaning to me. A simple act of kindness can help change lives. Please help spread the joy and spirit of team sports through soccer by donating today.