Local recipient, Hanover Parish, Jamaica (2020)

Second Kicks was proud to support a community fundraiser that collected soccer gear for players in Jamaica.

The organizer, who began fundraising for cleats to donate to soccer lovers in Jamaica, said the support he has received from the community has been “overwhelming.”

He began taking donations of soccer shoes to donate to players in Hanover, Jamaica.

He said that growing up, he had a passion for soccer but never had soccer shoes.

His parents, who have both passed away, taught him the importance of giving back to the community, so one day in June, he decided to do just that in their memory.

He said he knows all too well what it’s like to play barefoot, adding that his feet would end up cut and bleeding at times.

Since he announced his fundraiser, he said the support he has received from community members has been overwhelming, and that he had no idea he would get so many donations.

Due to the high volume of donations, he said he will not only be donating to Hanover in Jamaica, but also to a high school in Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.

With the help of the community, over 3000 items were raised, including 550 soccer jerseys, over 400 pairs of soccer cleats, 440 pairs of socks, 220 shorts, 70 binders, over 75 soccer balls, over 50 shin guards, over 40 whistles, 20 cones, three nets for goals posts, and other miscellaneous items.