I know the Recycle. Goal. contest recently ended, but I can’t stop looking ahead.

I work with two teams–girls under 8 and girls under 10–that together collected and recycled more than 400 pounds of materials, including nearly 240 pounds of plastics, which we redeemed for cash. That and the gift card we earned will provide much-needed equipment for our teams to use at practices and games.

Team mom Kim Ayers

On behalf of all of the participants from the Diamond Bar Soccer League, we were grateful for the opportunity to collect and recycle materials and be rewarded for our efforts as part of the Recycle. Goal. challenge, which was a competition among various soccer teams in Southern California to see which team could recycle the most material by weight.

We’re glad that organizations like Keep California Beautiful, American Chemistry Council, the LA Galaxy and Dick’s Sporting Goods recognize the opportunity to invest in our kids while investing in our environment.

DBSL players recycling

We may not have won the competition—congratulations to the Anaheim boys who did—but we won something more: encouragement and hope.

In the face of budget cuts for schools and other scary headlines, it’s important that our kids see that there are those who care and they’re willing to help.

We’re looking forward to participating again in 2012. Who’s with us? My soccer girls and I are just getting warmed up.

The following is a guest post by Kim Ayers, team-mom from the Diamond Bar Soccer League and participant in the 2011 “Recycle. Goal.” Challenge.