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When it comes to soccer, Meg Wheeler has a goal in mind larger than getting the ball into the net.

Wheeler and local soccer business Soccer-Tennis Ltd. are working together to give soccer balls to children in war-torn Afghanistan.

"I just do it for the children. I do it to brighten their day," said Wheeler, who lives on the South Side.

Her mission to bring smiles to kids' faces with soccer all began when she received a letter from her brother, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Curt Darden.

Darden, who is stationed in Kabul, threw some handballs to Afghan children as his vehicle passed them by.

But he really wished he had soccer balls to give them, he wrote to his sister.

Wheeler called and then visited Soccer-Tennis Ltd., 4817 E. Speedway, bringing along her brother's letters detailing the poverty among children in Afghanistan.

Soccer-Tennis Ltd. owner Chuck Seifert read the letters and was "astounded," he says.

He began asking customers to donate $7 each to buy soccer balls and soon was able to send a package of food and 27 white-and-red- or blue-sparkled balls to Darden.

Though it is too dangerous for him to hand the soccer balls to the children by hand, Darden throws them and the food to the children as his vehicle passes, Wheeler said.

Soccer-Tennis Ltd. will soon present Wheeler with 40 more balls to send to Afghanistan, but the store and Wheeler would like to send more soccer balls and hopefully teddy bears, Seifert said.

Donations of soccer balls, teddy bears, food or money may be made at Soccer-Tennis Ltd.

For more information, call the store at 323-6070.

South Side