The Post Falls Boys and Girls club could barely wait for members of the Spokane Velocity FC to arrive at the grand opening event of the new Les Schwab Tires located at 1656 N. Nicholson Center on Friday. 

In conjunction with Les Schwab’s Tires for Purpose program, a national campaign started two years ago, the company changed and upgraded the tires on one of the Club vans, entirely for free, while also giving the 12 youths the rare chance to meet professional athletes.

“It feels really good being able to just give back to the people that are continually helping the community,” said Joel Poffenberger, store manager.

Les Schwab Tires and the Spokane Velocity also announced their Spokane Youth Soccer Gear Drive at the event. The drive will benefit the 90+ Project youth soccer organization, which strives to make soccer in the area more accessible while still inspiring passion into young players. Donation boxes have been set up around Les Schwab Tires locations across the area.  

Leigh Veidman, Velocity’s head coach, said that getting kids involved in soccer at a young age and keeping the price of the game accessible is “everything.”

“You find a lot of opportunity lost for kids to get into the game because it's too expensive,” he said.

Veidman said that he finds that many of the most intelligent young players are the ones playing on the streets because they can’t afford a program or academy. He also said that it’s very challenging for these players, calling their situation a “catch-22.”

“The never get the opportunity to get exposure because they can’t afford to play anywhere,” he said. 

Daniel B., a Boys and Girls club member, was a little starstruck after meeting Velocity player Louis Gil. 

“It’s a weird feeling,” he said. “Not like you would expect.”

That experience is exactly what Poffenberger, who was a Boys and Girls club member when he was a kid, was trying to create. As a huge sports fan himself, he said he remembers being young and getting to meet, and talk to and see Washington State football players and how it made him feel. 

“It was just so cool to see them in person,” he said. 

Gil said he saw himself in the children and how excited they were to meet them. He said he loved interacting with them and seeing their faces light up. He said the little moments, like asking a child what team he plays soccer for, is “such a great thing.” 

“I’ve been doing this for so long and you know, I never get tired of it,” said Gil. 

Gil said he hoped he inspired a stronger love for soccer in the children, especially after the popularity of the 2026 World Cup, and hopes they can help keep the sport’s momentum going. 

“We can be a part of that and kind of spark the hearts and minds of the young kids and generations to come,” he said.

    Joel Poffenberger, general manager, gives a thumbs up and a smile as he and the Post Falls Boys and Girls club jumps in the air.

    From left: Nil Vinyals, Louis Gil, Shavon John-Brown, Sean Lewis, Head Coach Leigh Veidman and Bryce Merideth. The Spokane Velocity FC hands out gear to the Boys and Girls club.