Vince Thomas' Soccer Legacy Trip
Donation protected
Two years ago, at the annual HS Soccer Alumni game, I gathered the alumni around and mentioned that at the time that Vince retires from coaching, it would be nice to send him off with a gift from all of the people he has touched in his career. My gift idea was a trip for two, Vince and Bill Germain, to go to England to watch a Premier League Soccer match, and maybe play a round of golf, as a token of our appreciation.
Last year, I again gathered the 'old timers' together to tell them to keep it in the back of their minds, but there were no signs of retirement on the horizon. I told them to start networking with connections that people may have in the airline industry, or hotel industry, or even ticket connections to Premier League games. There is such a vast number of 'men' that Vince has impacted, we certainly could do this, if we work together.
Three weeks ago, Vince was diagnosed with stage 4 Melinoma. Although signs of the cancer has been detected in the Liver, Kidney, Lungs, and Brain, there is optimism that this can be defeated. Radiation began on March 24, and the first dose of Immunotherapy will take place on March 31. His spirits are high, and he has been surrounded by an outpouring of support.
The 'retirement' gift, is no longer a secret. I shared the plan with him recently so he would have yet another reason to 'stay strong', and defeat this!
Here is what I am proposing as a starting point for all of you soccer alumni. The theme is going to be " One by One". I would like to challenge you all to take One percent of One month of your salary, and donate it to this cause. Then I would like you to spread the word to as many alumni in the two or three years on either side of your graduation year as you can think of, and get them on board.
The money raised will be used to send Vinnie, and hopefully Billy G as well, on this trip. The additional funds raised, above and beyond the trip cost, will go to help defray medical expenses and a donation to the Boys Soccer team.
The timeline for the trip will be based on when Vince will be done with his treatment, and feeling up to the adventure with his good friend and longtime coach, Billy G.
A tradition has been established on the annual fall soccer trip the Varisty team takes to Fargo. The team watches the movie Victory, with Sylvester Stallone and Pele. The caption on the advertising banner back when it was released says, "Now is the time for Heroes". How appropriate is that? We need to round up those alumni that want to be a Hero for Vince, he already has been for us!
Last year, I again gathered the 'old timers' together to tell them to keep it in the back of their minds, but there were no signs of retirement on the horizon. I told them to start networking with connections that people may have in the airline industry, or hotel industry, or even ticket connections to Premier League games. There is such a vast number of 'men' that Vince has impacted, we certainly could do this, if we work together.
Three weeks ago, Vince was diagnosed with stage 4 Melinoma. Although signs of the cancer has been detected in the Liver, Kidney, Lungs, and Brain, there is optimism that this can be defeated. Radiation began on March 24, and the first dose of Immunotherapy will take place on March 31. His spirits are high, and he has been surrounded by an outpouring of support.
The 'retirement' gift, is no longer a secret. I shared the plan with him recently so he would have yet another reason to 'stay strong', and defeat this!
Here is what I am proposing as a starting point for all of you soccer alumni. The theme is going to be " One by One". I would like to challenge you all to take One percent of One month of your salary, and donate it to this cause. Then I would like you to spread the word to as many alumni in the two or three years on either side of your graduation year as you can think of, and get them on board.
The money raised will be used to send Vinnie, and hopefully Billy G as well, on this trip. The additional funds raised, above and beyond the trip cost, will go to help defray medical expenses and a donation to the Boys Soccer team.
The timeline for the trip will be based on when Vince will be done with his treatment, and feeling up to the adventure with his good friend and longtime coach, Billy G.
A tradition has been established on the annual fall soccer trip the Varisty team takes to Fargo. The team watches the movie Victory, with Sylvester Stallone and Pele. The caption on the advertising banner back when it was released says, "Now is the time for Heroes". How appropriate is that? We need to round up those alumni that want to be a Hero for Vince, he already has been for us!
Organizer and beneficiary
Doug Boonstra
Organizer
Eden Prairie, MN
Vincent Thomas
Beneficiary
