Eli Bunton needs to raise $2,600 by April 30.
Unfortunately, his financial status so far adds up to just a fraction of that amount.
Eli needs that money to finance his part of a trip to Brazil with his soccer team. The journey is a dream come true for a young soccer player. The boys will have an opportunity to get to know some of Brazil’s professional soccer players as well as train with coaches of pro teams there. Crowds of up to a thousand enthusiastic fans will cheer the exhibition games the San Diego boys play in Brazil.
This trip is so important to Eli that he is doing everything he can to raise the necessary cash to finance it. Now he hopes that the public will hear his story and help make the dream happen.
“I have knocked on doors and called relatives and friends and asked for their support,” Eli said.
The trip to Brazil offers “a great learning experience,” he believes. And since he hopes to play soccer in college and perhaps even professionally, he adds that the trip to Brazil “will teach me extra stuff about soccer and becoming better.”
For a 13-year-old boy, Eli is unusually well organized. In his effort to raise enough money to go to Brazil for this soccer exchange program, Eli refers weekly to a chart he made. His chart reminds him of what still needs to be accomplished to attain his goal.
Eli lives in Mission Beach and plays on the Albion soccer team at Robb Field in Ocean Beach. Albion has done well, winning numerous tournaments, and is one of the top four teams in California.
The team played in the semi-finals in the recent Dallas Cup, but their dreams of winning were crushed by a heart-breaking loss in double overtime there. According to Albion coach Noah Gins, the team plays in the top 10 percent of the country.
“They did exceptionally well in Dallas,” Gins said. “Albion is by far one of the best teams I have trained. I’m proud of them every step of the way.”
The coach says that taking his players to experience the culture and way of life in Brazil will help shape them as soccer players and as people.
Gins said most of the Albion team will go to Brazil. Eli’s dad, Joe Bunton, believes that Eli will be among the travelers.
“I think it’s going to happen,” Joe said. “Eli is magic ” his touch turns to gold.”
Readers who would like to help make that happen can contribute by emailing Eli or Joe at
[email protected] or by calling (858) 488-9178.
The trip to Brazil is an opportunity of a lifetime for the Albion team.
As Eli points out, “The Brazilians have so much skill and move the ball extremely fast. It will be a great learning experience.”
Money for the trip must be raised by the end of April.