WALKER, Mich. — The soccer fields at Walker Charter Academy were lined with dozens of spectators Thursday night watching a pair of special games designed to bring the community together.
The Northwest Youth Soccer Association held its 2nd annual Connect and Support Those Who Serve soccer games, pitting league parents against members of the Kent County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Air Force against the U.S. Marines. But organizers say the real win was the opportunity to break bread.
"Being a retired Marine and just kind of seeing how things have gone over the years, there's seems to be a growing disconnect between law enforcement and those in the armed services with the people in the community. And since I'm retired and too old to serve any longer, it's my way of giving back and trying to help change that direction," said Gregg Stavros, who serves as the director of the NWYSA.
"I think it'd be nice if our community had more events that would do this, rather than just around Memorial Day and Veterans Day, or the limited number of days. I think the more we can have them throughout the year, I think would help the community a little bit more."
Sgt. Joy Matthews with the Kent County Sheriff's Office has seen the disconnect too. She said the department works hard to bridge that gap with its own events throughout the year, but this is one of the few times that someone from the community actually reached out to the Sheriff's Office to do something like this. She says it's appreciated.
"This is an outstanding way to connect with the community in an informal environment. We have a pretty stressful job, and so any opportunity that where we can get out of the office, have some fun, engage in the community, allow the kids to see us in a different light, we're all in," Sgt. Matthews said.
Coaches and parents from the league say they're happy with the turnout this event has had in its first two years.
"It means everything. It really does. It truly is an honor and a blessing to be a part of this. I just can't say enough about our Sheriff's Department. I can't say enough about the people who serve our community and to serve our our country," said coach Jordan Tryc.
Fellow coach Robby Gardner agreed.
"It brings us all together really and it shows we're all a big family, a big community, and we respect our service members. We also respect the Kent County Sheriff's Department. We can see them in more of a little bit of a greater light, where they're not in uniform, and they're laughing, they're playing with us, and they're also having fun with the parents and coaches," he said.
Stavros said the league is already looking forward to the third annual event next year, and making this tradition bigger and better.
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