Paulson (center) participated in the Timbers and Boise-Eliot scrimmage. GK Josh Wicks (right) provided a few pointers.

New Timbers owner Merritt Paulson and 10 Timbers players visited Boise-Eliot Elementary school in Portland Wednesday to donate 20 soccer balls to the school's new physical education program starting in 2008.

Paulson along with Timbers players Chris Bagley, Neil Dombrowski, Bryan Jordan, Kevin Meissner, Lawrence Olum, Tom Poltl, Troy Ready, Tom Taylor, Justin Thompson and Josh Wicks visited with the school's fifth and sixth graders and had a chance to break in the school's new equipment with a soccer game.

One of Paulson's long-term goals includes focusing on community outreach. “The Timbers and Beavers can be catalysts to help people of all ages by getting them involved, in helping to shine a light on areas of the community that need attention, and by generating the resources needed to make this community a better place for everyone," said Paulson.

Boise-Eliot has not had a formal physical education program for five years. The Timbers' donation of 20 Nike soccer balls will be used to start building a new P.E. program and curriculum for next school year.

Paulson was introduced as the new owner of the Timbers and Portland Beavers, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, Tuesday.

View more pictures of the Timbers visit to Boise-Eliot Elementary in Portland in the Photo Gallery.