[wcgcapone]

Originally Posted by Bonji

Maybe the Cup could be used to collect donations for the Fabrice Noel fund outside the stadium before the game. There's the picture taking idea. $5 for a picture holding the cup and the $5 goes to the fund.

This is a great idea. Bonji. It took me a while to find this comment again, it just seemed like it was deserving of it's own thread. RFO, what do you need us to do to get this going?

[Bonji]

Maybe this can be a sticky so people who want to donate in a week, month, etc. can still find all the info.

Fans wishing to make donations to aid Fabrice's family can send checks for this Fund (made payable to the Rapids Foundation) to:

Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation
Attn: Fabrice Noel Fund
1000 Chopper Circle
Denver, CO 80204

[Dom. FC]

Is by Christmas too much to hope for?

Fabrice Noel Fund
100 chopper Circle
Denver, CO 80204

To whom it may concern,

I have been following Fabrice’s story with great interest since it first broke and when I was in Denver for a match I tried to make a cash donation directly to him after his Rapids Reserves match but his handler (or the guy that was looking out for him then) didn’t think that was a good idea. In retrospect I could see his point and have sort-of kept that money in ‘escrow’ for him until now. Enclosed please find that donation in the form of a check and if sufficient funds are already in hand to expedite his parents’ reunion with him please forward the money anyway as I’m sure his younger brother can use it for clothes, school supplies or possibly soccer gear.

I am excited about Fabrice’s progress for the Rapids on the pitch and also enthused about the potential for a reunion for him with his parents and brother – is by Christmas too much to hope for? From the standpoint of a Rapids fan I think it can do nothing but good things for him, his ‘head’ and his game to have his parents watching him play live in the home season opener next spring. I am not a person of means by any standard but I do try to help worthy causes when I can and this is one that just can’t be ignored. It is also a two-way street as when someone yells at me when I am coaching or refereeing, when a team does something unsporting, a referee misses a call, a key player get injured or we lose a heartbreaker Fabrices’ life and death story helps to put it all in perspective. Most of us really don’t have anything soccer-related to complain about if we view things through the lens of Fabrice’s story. Besides the Rapids Organization and the media proper credit should go to bigsoccer.com’s forum for keeping this story alive and for providing me with the address to send this to. Thank you very much for working on this very worthy cause. Sincerely,

(Dom. FC's real name and address)

I very much wish I could have posted this anonymously -- please understand my interest is to stimulate others to give not to note the fact that I did. It felt great to drop the envelope in the mailbox - please give whatever you can - Fabrice's story will pay it forward for you by reminding you that you really are a very lucky person the next time you hit a rough patch of life!

[Bonji]

Dom, I'm with you and I plan on putting something in the mail tomorrow.

[chilistrider]

Noel's Noel

[Dom. FC]

As a little time passed and a few neurons fired I got to wondering about Fabrice's immigration status. Obviously the Rapids should be interested in this as eventually he might take an SI slot if they keep him until he is old enough that that is required? He is at present listed as a "DEV" player at the MLS site's roster. There are others there listed as "SYI" which is a youth designation for foreign players which is not next to his name so maybe he has refugee status or something. Anyway, if his progress continues and the USMNT continues to have a revolving door at forward I think getting full U.S.A. Citizenship should be a priority right AFTER the family reunion thing is accomplished.

Imagine a USMNT friendly at Prairie Gateway with Jeff and Fabrice starting at forward. I will definitely make the drive and pay whatever they are asking for the sold-out tickets for that one! (And Joe will be in goal with Nat and Pablo in front of him so however many goals Jeff and Fabrice put up they will all remain un-answered.) ;>)

[chilistrider]

As someone who has worked with the refugee community a fair amount, I can say he's probably here as an asylee. Still, the citizenship process can be a lengthy one, even for those who arrive here with very legitimate reasons. But still, I look forward to seeing him on the pitch for us someday too!!

[wcgcapone]

According to MLS roster regulations (Huah, what are they good for?), refugees and I would asylees count as domestic players.

[The Legend]

Rapids website reports that collections for the Fund will be taken at the gates during Saturday night's playoff gaem.

[Dom. FC]

"Rapids website reports that collections for the Fund will be taken at the gates during Saturday night's playoff gaem."

As Special Ed*would say "EL Yay!!!!"

* Semi-obscure Comedy Central "Crank Yankers" reference.