What We Do

Kleats for Kids collects used soccer gear for athletes in need. KFK also helps local soccer clubs build networks to redistribute their equipment.

T & B Sports

In 2010-2011, KFK partnered with T&B Sports, a popular sport store located in San Rafael, CA to collect used cleats and gear. So far this partnership has worked really well—over 50 pairs of cleats have already been donated!

Left is a picture of Anthony Brusati from T&B sports. His family has owned this store for 66 years in San Rafael. Anthony is thrilled to partner with KFK. His clients are happy to have a place to donate their used cleats when buying new ones. It's a win win situation for everyone.

Check out the recent Marin IJ article on T&B

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Vietnam, Laos Trip

In July/August 2011 I am traveling to Vietnam and Laos. I am brining cleats collected through T&B Sports, our new partner. Trip details to come! Should be amazing!

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Cambodia Trip

In 2010, I traveled to rural Cambodia to work in an orphanage and distribute cleats. Learning about the Cambodian culture, tasting the exotic food and playing with the children was extremely fun. I worked with young children as well as older monks in training. Monks or not, the kids absolutely loved their cleats and jerseys. In Cambodia, soccer is frequently played in the city streets or dusty dirt roads that surround rice fields. Cambodia was a successful trip and a great experience!

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Pelada

I've just learned of this fantastic film Pelada. Pelada is a documentary following Luke and Gwendolyn, two former college soccer stars who didn't quite make it to the pros. Not ready for it to be over, they take off, chasing the game. From prisoners in Bolivia to moonshine brewers in Kenya, from freestylers in China to women who play in hijab in Iran, Pelada is the story of the people who play.

There will be a showing of this remarkable film at The Lark Theater in Marin County, CA on May 22nd @ 7:30PM. The showing will include a Q&A with the director and a silent auction and raffle. Please check it out!

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India Trip

In December of 2009, Kleats for Kids ventured to Chennai, India to deliver cleats collected from the Mill Valley Soccer Club and St. Hillary School. After a meeting at the All Chennai Football Association director's home, we personally fit cleats on underprivileged players at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. In Chennai, soccer is not only a sport but a tool that is used to transcend the social, caste, gender, and religious differences that many Indians struggle with.

"Football" is a way for common people to play a game that teaches discipline, sportsmanship and respect. Our connection with the local soccer club gave us an opportunity to meet and interact with players who we would not otherwise be able to enjoy. Thank you for the donations! The trip was a great success.

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Cleat Drive Benefits Local School

On Labor Day weekend I collected cleats at the Mill Valley Soccer Fest. My family and I took these cleats to San Pedro School in San Rafael to anxiously waiting children determined to play soccer. These cleats will help launch the youth sports after school program.

After delivering a speech and the cleats to the coordinator I talked with many of the kids. They were very thankful, running up to give me hugs and begging me to play with them. The experience of giving locally was extremely rewarding. Thank you to all of those who donated at Soccer Fest, your cleats are in good hands.

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Thailand Trip

I recently delivered KFK cleats to disadvantaged kids in Northern Thailand. I was in Thailand to participate in  Rustic Pathways, a community service and travel program.  I brought dozens of pairs donated by players with the Marin FC and Novato Teams and from the students at Mount Tamalpais School.

I brought a giant wheeled duffle with me and distributed the cleats to an orphanage in Udon Tahni, a village that hosts relatively few foreigners. During my visit I planted rice, taught English, gave dogs shots, taught kids to swim, provided homework help, cleaned temples and prepared meals for the elderly.

Playing soccer and delivering the cleats helped me get to know the kids better and made me a more effective volunteer. On the field there was no language barrier. The orphans weren't orphans and I wasn't the American teen. Instead we were a bunch of kids playing a game that we all love.

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Tanzania Trip

KFK collected soccer equipment at the Mill Valley SoccerFest and from local schools. We traveled to Tanzania, Africa where founder Lauren, her sisters Gillian & Kate distributed the gear to a Masai school near the Ngorongoro Crater in the Serengeti National Park.

Lauren, a player for the Marin FC and Gillian a player for the Mill Valley Soccer Club enjoyed impromptu soccer with the children delighting in the universal appeal of the game.

We also traveled to Zanzibar where KFK donated gear to Zanzibar’s first women’s national team featured in the documentary “Queens of Zanzibar”

In Zanzibar, women’s activities are severely curtailed. We met these brave women and our equipment donation directly benefits their fight for equal rights.