For the first time ever on September 15, the makers of sOccket will be auctioning off a limited number of their energy-efficient soccer balls to benefit resource-poor children around the world.
Invented by an all-female group of Harvard undergraduates in 2008, the award-winning sOccket is a soccer ball that harnesses energy generated during play to power small electrical appliances that are critical in the developing world. Made with 95 percent recyclable materials to ensure a product lifespan of 3-15 years, only 1,500 sOcckets will be available for purchase globally before the winter holidays, via a "Buy One, Give Many" auction. For every $50 increment bid on one of the sOcckets, another sOccket is donated to a child in need.
“The auction allows us to share the sOccket passion with our fans while still focusing on our ultimate mission of getting as many sOcckets as possible out to the people who need them most" said Uncharted Play CEO, Jessica O. Matthews. "Our first prototypes suggested a viable concept that we felt compelled to turn into a sustainable innovation. Though we’re constantly working on the next model, we’re excited to see how this version affects the status quo."
In May of 2011, two of the original inventors, Jessica O. Matthews (23) and Julia C. Silverman (22), founded Uncharted Play, a zero-profit, social enterprise that develops fun toys for addressing real-world issues. Taking on sOccket as Uncharted Play’s flagship product, Matthews and Silverman invested thousands of dollars from their personal savings in the redesign and development of the ball that can now power functional tools like an LED lamp and a water purifier.
“Keeping the realities of the resource-poor child in mind, we worked very hard to develop a ball we feel can make a difference in the lives of people around the world," said Uncharted Play Chief Social Officer and non-profit head, Julia Silverman.
Following the auction launch, the new sOccket will be unveiled to the public at an Open House Gallery exhibit in New York City on September 23, 2011. Visitors to the space can expect to play with the ball on the indoor grass field with players from Freestyle Soccer Inc., and see the ball powering different electrical appliances. A select number of sOcckets will be available for pre-sale at the exhibit as well.
