It was a late Tuesday night that Kimberly Boulos and Sam Brand of the San Francisco Nighthawks read the article about the new head coach for the weary Haiti Women's National team and his desire to bring "Hope" to the disaster ridden Haiti. It was all the girls needed to see. They contacted him by email that night, were invited to try-out Wednesday, made plane reservations Thursday, were on the plane Friday, arrived in Haiti on Saturday, had their tryout, and on Monday made the team and were on their way to Trinidad to play in the 2nd round qualifiers.

Once in Trinidad, they played 3 games in 5 days, winning all 3, with shut-outs to boot. Both Sam and Kimberly a.k.a 'Boo' started in the game against Cuba, and scored. Sam also had an assist in the game versus Puerto Rico (rostered by some former ‘Hawks as well). The Haiti team's success brought tears to the numerous Haitian fans, many of whom are still without homes but managed to make the trip to Trinidad in order to watch their National Women's soccer team make them proud.

"They brought tears and smiles to their teammates here," reported ‘Hawks GM Jill Lounsbury. "I couldn't think of two better or more deserving players. Things happen for a reason, Haiti needed help, and they got two angels to help lift their wings!"

The girls returned home soon after that, but not before their eyes were opened to the devastation in Haiti and how much help is still needed. Their teammates, at the national team level, had to share their soccer cleats. However, they were considered lucky to even have cleats to share, for those in the villages have no cleats, no homes, not much of anything material, but they do have their hope for a brighter future!

Sam and Boo will be returning to Haiti late this Summer and Fall, and they wish to bring even more hope in the form of new and used soccer equipment that they will personally bring to the villages with the help of locally based non-profit Zynga.org.

With over 180 million players a month, Zynga strives to connect people through games and empower these players to take make positive contributions globally. Since first partnering with local Haiti communities in October of 2009, Zynga users have already contributed a total of $3,000,000!

At 1:00 p.m. on July 18th , the San Francisco Nighthawks will play the Spokane Black Widows at Kezar Stadium. This will be the ‘Hawks final home game of their 2010 WPSL Summer season. The Nighthawks will be giving away t-shirts (provided by Zynga) in exchange for donations of new and used soccer equipment. They are also offering a free clinic after the match for all kids in attendance. The match is sponsored by Zynga.org, Bay Area Scores, San Francisco Recreation and Parks and the San Francisco Elks Lodge #3.

With help from the SCORES Bay Area children and all those who attend the July 18th game, the Nighthawks hope to collect heaps of soccer equipment for the children of Haiti, and open the eyes of many, to how games can connect the world and bring hope to all.

Anyone wishing to help or be a part of the event, please contact the ‘Hawks GM Jill Lounsbury at 415-722-3816 or jillhawk@earthlink.net.

PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE GAME FLYER .PDF AND PASS IT AROUND!