‘Kick for Nick’ Triumphs, Only If Wilton’s Next Generation Learns Of It

If you live in Wilton, at some point you need to learn about one of our town’s lost sons, Nicholas Madaras.

“Nick was a soccer player. He played right from the time we moved to this country, he was in second grade at the time,” recounts his mom, Shalini Madaras. “Right from middle school he coached, he played varsity, he referreed. He really connected with the children. He had crazy hair, colorful shorts. He had such a good way of coaching.”

Nick was a star player for Wilton High School‘s varsity soccer team, he played indoor during the winter, and he played Premier league in the spring. He played right up until he graduated in 2005 and started his military service.

“When he went to Iraq, he immediately picked up on the children’s skills. Despite the bombed out buildings, what amazed him more–coming from Wilton and not having a need for anything, he saw that the children were so happy, they were content to play with their little cloth ball, not knowing if they would live from one day to the next, whether their parents would be alive. But it was that immediate connection of kicking that soccer ball with them. That’s why he said, ‘Send me some balls so I can share it with them.’ That was Nick’s level of communication–he couldn’t speak their language, they couldn’t speak English. Immediately they connected because of soccer,” Shalini says.

Other soldiers were understandably more cautious, and they were hesitant to go near the children out of concern for security. “It wasn’t that Nick was not careful; he just saw beyond that. He could see the joy of the child and how could he bring that out. That was his intention. That was his only way to connect, and once you connect through kicking that ball around, immediately you become part of the team. You’re together on a higher level.”

On leave in June 2006, Nick collected some soccer balls and more were sent over following his return to Iraq. But before Nick could put his plan into action, he was killed by an IED on Sept. 3, 2006.

Nick’s Legacy

What has lived on is Nick’s pure wish, taken up not only by his parents, Shalini and Bill, but also others in Wilton who have made sure that that wish would be realized. What grew out of that became “Kick for Nick.”

It’s a really simple idea. People donate soccer balls, which are shipped to U.S. military locations around the world, and U.S. soldiers deliver them to children in the areas where they are serving, as a means to foster goodwill and peace.

“Since 2006 it’s running on its own steam, with the spirit of Nick and the spirit of his desire to share his joy of the sport with children. You put a ball in someone’s hands, you have to smile. It’s the soldiers too, they feel so connected with Nick and with the people who are giving the balls, and they put the ball in a child’s hands and tell the story.”

Nick’s gift was teaching about transcending the differences–political, religious, cultural–and Shalini believes what’s special is how that message lives on, not just abroad, but at home too.

“People take it personally, to feel connected with Nick. It’s such an amazing phenomenon. From all over the country people send us messages–not just, ‘You’re doing a great job!’ It’s more personal. It’s from the heart, they’re affected by his story and connected to it.”

Perhaps that connection stems from the very simple, direct link, from donor who gives the soccer ball, through the conduit of an American soldier directly to a child in a troubled part of the world. There’s a feeling the donor has of, I have an ability to make a change.

“When you give money sometimes you wonder how much goes for administration, how much actually goes into program. There is no administration–this ball goes from that person to us to the soldier, directly into the hands of a child. That is making a difference on a completely different level–it represents hope, it represents friendship, it’s just that you have directly touches someone’s heart,” Shalini says.

She adds that it’s because everyone can understand the joy.

“There’s no age barrier–a 3-year-old can connect with how it feels to have a soccer ball, and a 95-year-old can connect. We’ve had people in prison that have seen the video and wanted to give us a soccer ball. There’s just no barrier.”

As of May 2014, more than 40,000 soccer balls have been given out around the world, thanks to the Kick for Nick program.

Others Who Have Helped Kick for Nick

Other Wilton residents helped take Nick’s noble idea and make it a reality in the days and weeks following Nick’s death. According to Shalini, Ken Dartley was the one who got Kick for Nick off its feet.

“The first or second week there were a lot of media and newspaper people coming to Wilton, wanting to know the story. One of the things we said was Nick’s desire was to share his love of soccer with the children of Iraq. Ken called us and asked, ‘Can I collect a few soccer balls and send them to the soldiers in Iraq and see if they’ll distribute them?’ I thought it was so nice for a total stranger to pick up on what we said and then act on it.”

Dartley got the collection going at the American Legion, where he was a member.

ESPN has also been instrumental in getting Kick for Nick on the national and world stage, thanks in large part to several employees who live in Wilton, including John Skipper, the sports’ network’s current president.

“His son, Nick Skipper, played soccer with Nick, they were the same age. [Also, producer] Victor Vitarelli, who lives in town, initiated a video segment about Kick for Nick. They contacted us and we thought it would just be a small interview. They won awards on it. It’s still playing, and still inspiring people.”

ESPN rebroadcast the much-seen clip (which can be viewed, here, on the Kick for Nick website) several times during the World Cup soccer games earlier this summer, and interest has sparked again.

Shalini adds that ESPN has remained very involved with the Kick for Nick, beyond just airing a program about it.

“We’re continuously in connection. They’re always asking how it’s doing. They’re happy to help spread the joy.”

One of Nick’s high school friends, Tom Thresher, who Shalini says was like a brother to Nick, has also been an important supporter, especially for the annual Memorial Day soccer match that serves as a Kick for Nick fundraiser and ball drive. It was started with the help of another Wilton resident, Andrew Allers, a member of the Wilton Ancient Warriors soccer team, which takes part along with several of Nick’s former WHS teammates, and often current soccer players and Soccer Extreme coaches.

“Their whole goal for it is not only to grow, but to become a point of community pride. That it’s not just about Nick, but it’s a tribute to all of our fallen heroes. It’s about the spirit and the heart, of the game and of the idea. No matter where Tom is, he always comes home to help Andrew with the tournament. And Andrew just took it personally, he will continue to make it grow, to check with [soccer Olympian and Wilton native] Kristine Lilly to see if she will come play, he’ll solicit raffle items, and every year they make it bigger and better,” Shalini says.

One other person Shalini wants to make sure gets credit for being so instrumental to Kick for Nick’s longevity is Dominic Bruni, the owner of Tavern on 7. “He coaches, his children play soccer, and he goes full out, donating food to the Memorial Day Tournament, he’s totally involved with putting things together.

Thresher, Allers and Bruni received the Kick for Nick Award from the organization’s board this past April.

Editor’s Note:  People come and go in Wilton, and as new generations move to town, it’s important to continue to pass along the message Nick has left as his legacy. Wilton can continue to motor this amazing organization–but only if people know about it.

How you can help:  Easy–toss a ball (or several) in the collection nets set up outside the American Legion Post 86 building at 112 Old Ridgefield Rd.. Also, financial donations (to help cover the cost of shipping all those soccer balls overseas) are welcome at the Kick for Nick website.