MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Soccer) – Florida Tech is teaming up with “The Give N GO Project” for the remainder of the 2012 season. The Panthers will be collecting new and used soccer gear at their three remaining home matches at Rick Stottler Field.

GIVE N GO, a non-profit organization, uses sport as a means to bridge the gap of socioeconomic status by creating a team atmosphere, building self-confidence and instilling a sense of hope for abandoned kids. GIVE N GO collects and donates used and new soccer gear while conducting clinics at orphanages abroad and foster homes in the United States.

The women’s soccer team will set up red collection bins at the entrance to Rick Stottler Field for the remainder of the season for fans to donate new and used soccer equipment. GIVE N GO will accept any of your used soccer gear, including cleats, shin guards, uniforms, socks, running shoes, workout clothes, balls and any other soccer equipment you are willing to donate.

For fans who wish to donate on non-game days, the red collection bins will be located at the front desk of the Clemente Center.

Two years ago, head coach Fidgi Haig returned to his native Haiti to assist with the GIVE N GO initiative. Haig, along with the University of North Carolina-Greenboro’s head women’s soccer coach, Steve Nugent, and The GIVE N GO Project’s founder, Amber Tollefson, visited three orphanages and an amputee soccer team, who was directly affected by the earthquakes that shook Haiti two years ago.

Haig and company conduct several soccer clinics and handed out dufflebags that were stuffed with soccer cleats, balls and uniforms.

“[The GIVE N GO Project] means a lot because it relates to my passion for soccer,” Haig said. “We get to help kids in Third World countries and in very poor areas of the United States that don’t have the money to buy soccer gear. It is amazing for these kids because a lot of them play in tennis shoes, and some in their bare feet. Some of them don’t have practice gear or uniforms to wear. I really enjoyed seeing the smile on the kids’ faces on the trip to Haiti.

“Amber, the founder, put so much effort into this organization, so I want to make sure she gets all the help she can to keep this movement going. Being able to help with this foundation is a pleasure and an amazing feeling. Our players are now getting involved, and we are glad to be a part of it.”

Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade is a big supporter of the GIVE N GO initiative. Wade, whose sons play soccer, made a significant contribution towards Haig’s trip to Haiti.

The Panthers next home game is on Saturday, Oct. 13. FIT will host Lynn University at 1 p.m. at Rick Stottler Field. The final two home games are on Oct. 20, against Barry, and on Oct. 24, against Nova Southeastern. The women’s soccer team encourages fans to donate any new or used soccer equipment they may have. No donation is too small.

For more information about “The GIVE N GO Project”, including how to donate, please visit http://www.thegivengoproject.org.

Haig (above) teaching a GIVE N GO clinic in Haiti in 2010.