SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake and Make a Wish Foundation have teamed up to make the dream of an eight-year old boy from Park City, Utah a reality.
Eight-Year old Jonas Peek, who is living with Hodgkin's disease and undergoes regular chemotherapy and radiation treatments, will be serving as the first Ball Kid for this Saturday's historic XanGo Cup, featuring Real Salt Lake vs. Real Madrid. He will be taking the field with RSL GK Scott Garlick, who visited Jonas in the hospital earlier this week.
Jonas, who is a huge soccer fan, citing both Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid as his favorite teams, is eagerly anticipating taking the field with the athletes that he looks to as his heroes.
"I am so excited for the game; I can't wait to be on the field with the players. It's going to be awesome. Soccer is my favorite sport and I like both Real teams. David Beckham and Scott Garlick are my favorite players and I'm going to be on the same field with them. It's really cool."
Jonas's father, Bob Peek, is also excited to see the dream of his eight-year old son come true, and anticipates the game on Saturday to be an event that his entire family will remember for the rest of their lives.
"On behalf of my entire family, I just want to thank Real Salt Lake and Make a Wish foundation for helping Jonas realize this dream. Jonas loves soccer, and to see his face light up at the prospect of being on the same field as David Beckham and the rest of the players is a feeling that is difficult to describe. Scott Garlick came to the hospital to visit him this week and it really lifted his spirits. Real and Make a Wish have made this little boy feel so special, and our family will be forever grateful."
TEAM GEAR INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES BALL KID OPPORTUNITY TO LOCAL YOUTH: Real Salt Lake is also please to announce that Team Gear International, a local soccer and sporting goods supplier, has purchased to rest of the Ball Kid slots. Mike Bennett, owner of Team Gear International, expressed his excitement at being a part of this historic event.
"As a business owner of an entity that strives to be a positive part of the local soccer community, I am ecstatic that we are able to provide this service to a select few local Utah Kids, said Bennett. I would personally like to thank Real Salt Lake for bringing Real Madrid to town; this is an event that none of us will soon forget. I am honored that Team Gear International is a part of the XanGo Cup."
THREE BALL KID SLOTS STILL AVAILABLE: There are three Ball Kid slots sill available for the "XanGo Cup". Fans ages 13-18 interested in purchasing these spots are encouraged to call (801) 304-9999 as soon as possible to reserve this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Team Gear International is a Small Business Partner with Real Salt Lake and is located at:
7198 S. Union Park Ave., Ste. B
Midvale, UT. 84047
801.304.9999
