Ossining Salon's Girls Soccer Fundraiser

Ossining volunteers are working to make sure that Ossining High girls soccer players can make it to a European soccer tour. Great Clips salon at 240 S. Highland is spearheading the effort. Its goal is to help 20 teens take part in the tour.

To help gather donations, the salon will be holding a "Cut-a-Thon" fundraiser. The fundraiser will take place from July 15-17. The salon will be donating a portion of their profits on those days to the cause. Great Clips will chip in $5 for every full-price haircut they perform.

It will cost about $50,000 for the soccer coaches and players to make the trip. "The cost is approximately $3,000 per person… They have raised $35,000 so far. Hopefully Great Clips can help them close the gap," said Great Clips franchise owner Michael Bordainick.

Ossining High's Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Phil Ishmael will be traveling with the 14-17-year-olds in their trip across the pond to London. While there, the teens will have the opportunity to learn from trainers with the Premier League's Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal teams. "The international experience where soccer was born can only benefit them… besides the actual experience of the game," said soccer parent and Ossining American Youth Soccer Organization Commissioner Bob Squirrell.

Bordainick say the tour isn't just about taking part in a fun trip, but rather about an educational and eye opening journey for the girls. "The England Soccer Tour allows young women to compete against English soccer teams, get exposure to top soccer coaches and training facilities, and learn about the culture and history of England."

To find out more about how you can help the soccer players pay for their trip, email BobSquirrell@optonline.net