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Springstead Goalie Paying It Forward

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By CLIFF GILL, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 17, 2007

HUDSON - Gerrie DeFrancesco remembers watching the movie 'Pay It Forward' when it was released in 2000. Student Trevor McKinney is given an assignment by a teacher to think of an activity that will have a positive impact on other people. Trevor puts a plan into action to do acts of kindness to complete strangers. His idea catches on locally, then nationally. Ultimately, his idea makes the entire world a better place.

'The movie was inspiration to us. Helping others is one of our core family values that my husband, Frank, and I tried to instill into our five children,' Gerrie said.

Never did she realize that her youngest child, Jennifer, would take the concept of the movie and put it into reality.

Jennifer, a senior at Springstead High, was given a similar assignment by her English teacher. Known nationwide as 'The Senior Project,' some students consider the project boring and put in the minimum requirements in time and effort.

Jennifer saw the assignment as a challenge. As a four-year varsity goalkeeper at her school, she decided to conduct a weekend soccer camp for younger players to improve their skills and inspire them to stick with the sport.

'I was raised to always help and teach others. The camp will allow players, ages 5 to 13, to practice with and learn from U-18 Hudson soccer team members,' she said.

'We plan on running drills to demonstrate proper techniques. But, more importantly, we hope to talk to them about a major lesson in life - that discipline and hard work eventually pay off. Our message for them will be to stick with it and not quit.'

Assisting Jennifer at the camp is her coach, Chris Swezey.

'Jennifer is a natural teacher. She'll make an outstanding coach some day. Teaching a group of youngsters the fundamentals of soccer is a great opportunity for both her and them,' Swezey said.

Putting such a venture together took a considerable amount of planning.

'We convinced Veterans Memorial Park to donate the field and equipment. We have teammates and parents to help supervise. We even got Randy's Automotive to be our corporate sponsor,' DeFrancesco beamed.

The camp is Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson, near the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Hicks Road. The cost is $20 per participant, with all proceeds going to purchase equipment for the Hudson Youth Soccer club.

The camp is expected to attract 100 youngsters from Pasco and Hernando counties.

To register or for more information, contact DeFrancesco at (352) 584-6768 or mbdefran@yahoo.com.

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