FARMVILLE, Va. -- The Longwood University women's soccer team will host its annual 'Joshua Bolt Day' on Saturday, September 22, as the Lancers welcome Big South Conference member Presbyterian College to the Athletics Complex in Farmville at 2 p.m. The team will recognize Joshua and the Bolt family during a special pre-game ceremony before dedicating the match against the Blue Hose to Joshua. Longwood enters the match with a record of 6-3 overall, 1-0 in the Big South, while PC brings a record of 0-8, 0-1 into the afternoon contest. Admission is free.
“As excited as we are to be hosting Presbyterian on Saturday, what makes this occasion truly special to us is the opportunity to honor Josh Bolt and his family,” said 19th-year Longwood head coach
Todd Dyer '93. “While so many people from the Longwood, Farmville and the surrounding communities have come together to work with Josh, it is he and his family that do the real hard work on a daily basis and remain an inspiration to all of us. It is our hope that Joshua Bolt Day raises even more awareness for his cause and motivates others to get involved and support the entire Bolt family.”
Joshua, the son of Kyle and Jennifer Bolt, recently celebrated his 11th birthday on August 31. The women's soccer team first met Joshua during the spring of 2008 through an opportunity to help volunteer with him. He has a condition that affects the brain known as cerebral palsy and is unable to walk, talk or use his hands as well as others, but he works hard and has fun learning. Joshua enjoys reading, drawing, writing, and learning high school and college level math. He is able to pull to stand and climb independently, in addition to walking with assistance. Joshua loves dogs, meeting new people, horseback riding, traveling, swimming, playing outdoors, gardening, watching DVDs and playing with toy soldiers.
“I would like to thank the Longwood Women's Soccer Team and their coaches for all their efforts on Joshua's behalf, and especially for their dedication of a game to Joshua for the fourth year now,” said Jennifer Bolt. “They have been wonderful examples of how the university can impact the community in a positive way. We especially appreciate how associate head coach Steve Brdarski has often helped us by finding volunteers on short notice when we have been in dire need.”
An essential component of Joshua's program is community involvement. Coach Dyer and his Lancers know this first hand as his team started working with Joshua on a weekly basis nearly two years ago. At the time, Joshua was doing exercises, known as 'patterning', which will hopefully enable him to walk on his own one day. Many wonderful volunteers have helped since 2005 when Joshua started this program. His many, many successes since then have been tremendous!
The Longwood women's soccer team would like to pass along the message for the Farmville community to continue to help with the development of Joshua. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact associate head coach Steve Brdarski at 395.2354. Donations to Joshua's cause are 100% contributions towards the costs of Joshua's treatment for cerebral palsy through The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (www.iahp.org), a non-profit organization. For donations to be tax-deductible, write a check to "IAHP", and either turn it in at the game or at Midtown Mailboxes for a thank you gift. You may also mail it directly to IAHP-Finance, 8801 Stenton Avenue, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. Please be sure to reference 'Joshua Bolt' on the memo line of your check to make sure it goes towards Joshua's fees.
Little Lancers Kids Club Soccer Clinic
The Little Lancers Kids Club will be conducting a free soccer clinic hosted by the women's soccer team after Saturday's match against Presbyterian. The clinic will last approximately 30-45 minutes with free food and drink available after the clinic, as well as an autograph session with Elwood and the Lancers. This event is open to members and non-members who are interested in gaining more information about the Little Lancers Kids Club.
