Nov 23, 2007
ESPN films in Wilton for television piece on Kick for Nick campaign
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The Kick for Nick campaign, the soccer ball collection started by Ken Dartley and the American Legion as a way to honor and remember Pfc. Nicholas Madaras, who was killed in Iraq in September 2006, will be getting a boost in national exposure with an ESPN television feature.
The collection net, which was set up Monday in front of the James B. Whipple Post 86 of the American Legion in Wilton Center, will again be sending soccer balls to soldiers to hand out to Iraqi children. The program also expects to expand to donate balls to troops in Afghanistan and other bases overseas.
In recent months, crews from ESPN have been in town, filming clips at soccer games and interviews for the television documentary it is putting together on the program. A representative from ESPN could not be reached to discuss when the piece would be aired.
Bill Madaras, Pfc. Madaras’ father, said the ESPN coverage came as a surprise, but hoped its airing would let more people know of the many ways they can help support the troops.
“First of all, one way or another, I guess there’s going to be more balls going over there,” he said. “And that’s good for the troops and good for the kids” of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr. Madaras said the Kick for Nick soccer ball collection had grown outside of Wilton, with collections being started in Albuquerque, N.M., by his sister, in Colorado by a woman who learned of the drive, and in other parts of the country as well.
More people, he said, want to help the troops, but just don’t know how they can make a difference.
“There’s so many ways to show support ... Christmas cards, anything,” he said. “It will create awareness that anybody can find a way to do something,” he said of the ESPN story.
“Some guy from California saw the CBS piece and sent two balls to Ken,” said Mr. Madaras of a previous television piece on the program.
For Wiltonians, the Kick for Nick net in the Center will be available through the holiday season.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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