Free soccer offered to youths

"After months of preparation, we're excited about getting players and coaches together on the soccer fields in Brockton and Lowell," the initiative's director, Graham Munro, said of the two cities where the program is being held. "We look forward to welcoming many new families into MPS as we strive to enhance the soccer experience among young athletes in Massachusetts."

The program got underway Monday in Brockton and continues once a week at the 9-and-under and 10-and-under age levels. Each location gets Adidas uniforms and competes in age-appropriate games. On game days, teams from other School of Excellence locations will travel to the programs in Brockton and Lowell to play the new squads. Brockton's site is at East Junior High School.

This fall, the initiative will expand, with the addition of under-11 programs in both cities, Munro said.

In addition to professional coaching, Mass Premier Soccer will offer the players a program called "Eat Right - Play Right," as part of the organization's relationship with the Joslin Foundation. The weekly focus on healthy living will promote the benefits of nutrition and sports participation in the fight against diabetes.

For information on playing opportunities, call Munro at 781-891-6900, ext. 38. Mass Premier's website is mpsbr.com.

VOLUNTEERS ON WHEELS NEEDED: Old Colony Elder Services in Brockton has adopted a Meals on Wheels route in Brockton, and 33 staffers from the agency are volunteering to deliver up to 20 meals a day to frail and home-bound elders, but more volunteers are needed, said Diana DiGiorgi, executive director of Old Colony. The agency is challenging local businesses to do the same - adopt a Meals on Wheels route as their own and encourage employees to get involved.

"The need for Meals on Wheels volunteers is quite significant," she said. "As it stands now, we don't have enough volunteers, so many of them have taken on additional meal routes. We encourage Brockton-area businesses and their employees to get involved. . . . We must take action to ensure no elder goes hungry."

Meals on Wheels drivers typically deliver meals from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are reimbursed for mileage. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, and anyone interested can call Brenda Carrens at 508-584-1561.

NORWELL TEEN TAKES HONOR: Norwell High School senior Brittany Bergquist, 18, who with her brother, Robbie, began a nonprofit group in 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers, a group that has since gone nationwide and has purchased nearly $2.5 million worth of prepaid phone cards for American servicemen and women all over the world, has been named one of America's top 10 youth volunteers for 2009 in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.

The honorees received personal awards of $5,000, engraved gold medallions, crystal trophies for their schools or organization that nominated them, and $5,000 grants from the Prudential Foundation for the charities of their choice. The awards were presented May 3 at a dinner in Washington, D.C., at which former first lady Laura Bush delivered the keynote address.

POETRY COMPETITION ANNOUNCED: The Tri-County Music Association is holding its first poetry competition, in partnership with the Bookstall in Marion and Baker Books in Dartmouth. Poetry is being sought from high school students in the tri-county area of Barnstable, Bristol, and Plymouth counties that responds to the question "What does the American flag mean to me?" Winning poems will be read at the Tri-County Symphonic Band's pop concert on June 14, Flag Day, at Tabor Academy in Marion. All poems must be submitted by June 5. For information, visit tricountysymphonicband.org.

MARSHFIELD YOUTH HONORED: Molly Newcomb of Marshfield is this year's recipient of the Roche Family Outstanding Young Adult of the Year award given by the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield. The young woman, 18, and a senior at Marshfield High School, has been volunteering at the club three times a week for the past two years, and has helped run the "Go Girl Go!" program, has been part of the Keystone Club, and has led club members in Triple Play, a wellness program. She recently became a staffer at the club.

Paul E. Kandarian can be reached at kandarian@globe.com.