Homeless Soccer Team Warmed by Women's Handmade Scarves and Hats

Nov. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- More than a year ago, a group of nine women at The Legacy at Willow Bend became involved in “Knitting for the Homeless,” an organization founded in 2009 by Carol Sobol that donates knitted and crocheted hats and scarves to homeless shelters and other organizations across Dallas. They have been “knitting for the needy” ever since. Most recently, they learned of a Dallas homeless soccer team who would benefit greatly from their newfound hobby.

That team is Dallas United, a Dallas-based homeless soccer team formed by LifeNet Community Behavioral Healthcare, which plays in a national homeless soccer league for men called Street Soccer USA. The Dallas United team and coaches were recently invited to a special reception by the ladies of the knitting club at their home at The Legacy at Willow Bend. The ladies presented the players and coaches with handmade scarves and hats in the team’s colors to wear in their practices and games.

“Our knitting group has knitted more than 1,500 pieces that have been donated to charities all over DFW,” said Florence Kramer, volunteer coordinator of The Legacy at Willow Bend. “Knitting for the homeless gives these women a special sense of purpose in their lives and it is a source of joy for all of them. I would think playing soccer gives these homeless men the same feeling.”

“Seventy-five percent of the men playing in the Street Soccer USA league are no longer homeless within the first month of playing,” said Ross Taylor, vice president of development of LifeNet. “We have seen that kind of success on our Dallas United team as well. Not only are these men improving their health, experiencing fine dining, and traveling all over the country to play, they are gaining confidence, becoming goal-oriented people and improving their lives.”

“We cannot thank the ladies of The Legacy enough,” said Smitty Smith, team member of Dallas United. “All of the big European soccer teams have scarves and hats, so we feel very cool to have them as well. We appreciate what everyone has done for this team.”

The Legacy at Willow Bend, Plano’s first and only life care retirement community, is situated on a 28-acre site at Spring Creek Parkway between Preston Road and Ohio Drive. The Legacy at Willow Bend offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site. The community features 103 independent living apartment homes, 12 custom independent living villas, 40 assisted living apartment homes, 18 memory support suites, and 60 private skilled healthcare suites.

The Legacy at Willow Bend is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit retirement community owned by parent company, The Legacy Senior Communities, Inc. The Legacy at Willow Bend, the only Jewish-sponsored life care retirement community in Texas, is open to people of all faiths.  For information, call (972) 468-6208, or visit www.thelegacyWB.org.