First — The Soccer Part of our program:

The first two weeks of the season have gone well. We had 15 players come out to play last Sunday. That’s not quite enough players for a full field game. But good. Hopefully this week.

The last couple of Sundays have book-ended April school vacation. Easter, Greek Easter, Passover, Earth Day, and ANZAC Day have all happened in the last two weeks. Kind of hard for our soccer game to compete with all that.

The weather looks good for this Sunday. We are playing at the Harrington School in North Chelmsford. It has come to my attention that I may not have given enough direction to the Harrington for those who have never been there. Apologies. The Harrington is near the High School and the highway. It is two stories tall, made of brick and concrete. It has parking out front. Glad I could clear that up.

Bring a white shirt and a dark shirt. We kick off by 9:00 AM. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

—
Non-Soccer part of the post:

I am going to stray from soccer and bad jokes again.

Many of you know Vyach and his family. He played soccer with us for years and years. He coached Chelmsford Youth Soccer. His sons went to school with my sons. He’s lived right in the middle of Chelmsford for as long as I can remember. Chelmsford is his home.

But…Eastern Ukraine is his heart. His original home. He and his wife were born and raised there. I would imagine they are losing a lot of sleep these days.

Vyach tells me that the medical supplies he sent, and which some of us contributed to, have made it to their destination in Eastern Ukraine. He tells me that they are trying to get as many supplies in as possible because they anticipate being surrounded soon. They anticipate that the battlefield medical supplies will be needed. They will be used.

He greatly appreciates the contributions that we’ve made. I can tell that he hates to ask for more help. He’s asking for more help.

I have been thinking of how I would react if I knew that my home and community was being surrounded by the enemy. I am sure that there are conflicting emotions and instincts. Fight? Flight?

The Ukrainians have decided to defend their homes, their community, their country, and their way of life. But they are out-gunned and surrounded. It’s unfair. It’s uncalled for. They’re asking for help.

I’m posting the link to the wish list of battlefield medical supplies that Vyach is collecting up and getting to where they are needed. If you feel so moved, please think about contributing a bit. Share this link with those who might help.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2YC6XPBE5FJ2S

These are high-priority medical items – tourniquets are of the highest need. If you order off this list and specify shipment to my address (default if you order from the list, otherwise:

Vyach Mayorskiy
40 Parker Rd
Chelmsford, MA 01824

We will get them over to Donetsk region, Ukraine into the right hands.

Thank you very much for all your help and support!!

—

Lawrence