Rockville Centre teen receives special honor for her work with special kids

Rockville Centre resident Kelly Limerick, a 2010 South Side High School graduate, received The Long Island Junior Soccer League's $1,000 George Hoffman TOPSoccer Special Children’s Memorial Scholarship. She was honored at the LIJSL Scholarship Brunch on July 18 at the Huntington Hilton.

Kelly became a volunteer with the Rockville Centre TOPSoccer Special Children’s Program six years ago. Organizers say she is unique because she was born with Cerebral Palsy which affects her right arm and leg. Kelly has had numerous surgeries that helped improve the condition. Her physical challenge has helped her understand what the players she is coaching are going through.

Kelly has been instrumental in the success of a newly-formed theater club at South Side called Centre Stage, where typical learning students work side-by-side with Special Ed students. She also volunteers with the Cyclone Club, is vice president of Best Buddies, and is a homework helper and Speech Buddy.

Kelly also volunteers at Camp Anchor, a year-round special needs camp, as well as the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

She was told that the special children of Rockville Centre will surely miss her when she attends Marist College this fall.

The scholarship’s namesake, George Hoffman, served on the LIJSL Board of Directors for decades and was a big advocate of the LIJSL TOPSoccer Special Children’s Program before his untimely death in 1997. A club spokesman said that when you needed a favor, George was a friend who would always come through.