RLA Announces 2017 Soles4Souls Trip to Honduras

Feb. 3, 2017

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The Rutgers Leadership Academy is partnering with the Soles4Souls Organization to plan a service trip to Honduras in May. Nine of Rutgers' student-athletes across various sports will have the opportunity to participate in this life changing experience and service.

"This trip to Honduras with Soles4 Souls is providing us student-athletes with the opportunity to serve a population that we have not all been exposed to, and to learn from them," said Simrin Dhillon, a junior on the field hockey team. "I am so grateful to be provided with this opportunity to positively impact a community and ensure that each person feels truly special and loved as they receive a new pair of shoes. I am excited to leave a piece of Rutgers in Honduras, and bringing back a piece of Honduras back to share with my fellow Scarlet Knights."

Soles4Souls is a non-profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing to individuals, schools, local churches, orphanages and more. Rutgers student-athletes will assist in approximately four distributions each followed by a chance to engage in different activities with local Hondurans.

"These community service initiatives are so important to the RLA and the student-athletes. We are so privileged to belong to the Rutgers community," said Kerri Puckhaber, a junior on the women's lacrosse team. "I saw this opportunity and I knew I couldn't pass it up. By going on this trip, we are all going to impact the lives of the people we are helping and without them even knowing they are going to impact ours as well."

The RLA has begun fundraising to aid with the student-athletes' travel expenses for the trip. Some of the student-athletes participating in the trip expressed how important an opportunity like this would be for them:

	Michelle Amoresano, Gymnastics I want to attend this trip because I would like to physically see what other countries living situations are like. I think it is really good to get out and see how other people are living in different countries. And it's a great opportunity to the help others who aren't as fortunate as us. We will be working with Soles4Souls to supply the communities with new pairs of shoes. We will help wash their feet and size their feet for shoes. Then we will have fun with the children and things of that nature.
	Joey Downes, Men's Basketball My older sister has had the opportunity to take service trips to South Dakota during her time at Fairfield University and she has communicated with me her amazing experiences. I come from a Catholic family where we believe in the importance of giving back and value learning about the world. I have a strong interest in traveling the world and giving back to those who need it. My goal is to attend multiple service trips before my time is done in college and this will be a great first experience.
	Erin Ender, Women's Rowing I am extremely interested in this service trip because it has always been a dream of mine to be able to travel to a new location and put myself outside of my comfort zone by immersing myself in a new culture while giving back to a community in need. Honduras, being the second poorest country in Central America, is a country that I feel could be greatly benefited by our service there. Helping put smiles on people's faces, making a difference their lives, even if only for a few days, and having an opportunity to speak Spanish with native-speakers are all motivation factors that have drawn me to this amazing trip.
	Alanna Gollotto, Field Hockey My aunt and uncle are both doctors who have traveled to countries, such as Haiti, to help them in their times of need. That has inspired me to want to also go abroad to help in any way that I possibly can. My major is Public Health because, although I am unsure of which path I will pursue, I know that helping other people makes me happy and I will pass on my joy to the children and all citizens of the Honduran community.

Christy Monroy, Women's Soccer
I would love the opportunity to travel to Honduras and serve in an underprivileged community. I have never been outside of the country and would like to immerse myself in an unfamiliar environment to learn more about other cultures and assist in any way possible. I hope that I can contribute to the local community, not just through organized service, but through empowering words and a spirit of friendship.

For more information about the initative or if you would like to make a donation, click here.

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RLA Announces 2017 Soles4Souls Trip to Honduras

Players Mentioned

Michelle Amoresano

Simrin Dhillon

Joey Downes

Erin Ender

Alanna Gollotto

Christy Monroy

Kerri Puckhaber

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RLA Announces 2017 Soles4Souls Trip to Honduras

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Players Mentioned

Michelle Amoresano

Simrin Dhillon

Joey Downes

Erin Ender

Alanna Gollotto

Christy Monroy

Kerri Puckhaber

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