Students clothing drive leaves impact with pro soccer players

The generosity of a team of high school students left an impact with a trio of pro soccer players last week.

Through a determined campaign, Ecole sécondaire Jean XXIII students amassed more than 50 garbage bags stuffed with clothing destined for flood victims in Argentina.

Three Montreal Impact members visited the Dorval school to pick up the goods and spend time with students.

The players all originally hail from the South American country, but the donation hit even closer to home for defender Mauricio Vincello.

The flood waters struck the 29-year-old's hometown of Salto. "When Mauricio saw the clothing he was very emotional," said Jean XXIII teacher Nicolas Pelletier, who helped organize the collection. "He was very touched by the generosity of the kids."

Vincello was joined by Impact teammates Léonardo Dilorenzo and Martin Fabro during the lunch-hour visit.

Pelletier said a translator was brought in to ease communication between the Spanish-speaking Fabro and the secondary 1 and 2 students.

But there was no barrier when it came to the language that excited the kids: soccer.

The players thrilled awestruck students when they took time to "juggle" and "head" balls with them. "The kids were so impressed by the simplicity of these guys," said Pelletier, a Hudson/St. Lazare soccer coach who teaches Grade 8 French. "All the questions were answered with fun, laughter. It was something they (students) won't forget."