Facts, stories, and materials for school projects about Second Kicks
For Students: Project Give Back
Who we are
Second Kicks is a Toronto based non-profit charitable sports organization founded in 2004. We collect gently used soccer uniforms and equipment from the Toronto area and ship them to children, youth, and families in communities that need them — in Canada and around the world.
Registered charity (cite these)
Legal name: SECOND KICKS
CRA Business Number: 861754364RR0001
Email: info@secondkicks.ca
Website: www.secondkicks.ca
About Second Kicks
The problem we help solve:
Many kids love soccer. But a uniform, cleats and a ball cost money, and many families can't afford them. Without gear, it's hard to join a team.
Meanwhile, kids in Canada outgrow their cleats and teams replace their uniforms. That gear is still good. It just needs a new home.
Second Kicks connects the two. We take gear Canadians don't need anymore and get it to kids and teams who do.
Our story
• Second Kicks started in 2004 in Toronto.
• It was started by two people: Katie Walmsley and Monica Beauregard.
• In the first year, they teamed up with the Leaside East Soccer League and local Toronto schools to collect uniforms for kids in Uganda.
How it works
1. Collect — Families, clubs, and schools donate gently used soccer gear (and related sports equipment when useful).
2. Sort & pack — Volunteers prepare "game in a box" kits — uniforms, boots, and a ball.
3. Ship & follow up — Kits go to partner communities; we ask for photos and a short update so supporters can see the impact.
Drop-off (Toronto): Storage-Mart, 1776 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 1W8 — unit 2568. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Sunday.
Donate funds: CanadaHelps
What we collect
Yes, please!
• Full team sets that match. For example, 12 jerseys and 12 pairs of shorts in the same colours.
• Cleats (soccer shoes)
• Shin guards
• Soccer balls
• Nets
No, thank you
• Single jerseys, or pieces that don't match a set. We can only ship full team sets.
Where to bring it
Storage-Mart, 1776 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 1W8.
Bring it to unit 2568. If the front desk doesn't know about Second Kicks, ask them to put your donation in unit 2568.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 6 pm. Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Sunday.
Impact stories
These stories show where donated gear goes and who it helps.
• Kenyan Kids Foundation Canada partnership
• Yaguars SSC equipment donation
• Futsal Club Toronto donation drive
• Thorncliffe Park Public School
See every donation on our map: Donation Database
Second Kicks by the numbers
Great for your poster or slides!
• Donations: 110+
• Countries reached: 30+ (including Canada)
• Donations to places in Canada: 50+
• Jerseys sent: 8,000+
• Shorts sent: 7,000+
• Soccer balls sent: 1,500+
• Pairs of cleats sent: 1,000+
• Boxes shipped: 200+
• Years in our online records: 2018 onward
• Years helping kids play: 20+ (since 2004)
Quick facts for citations
• Founded: 2004
• Founders: Katie Walmsley and Monica Beauregard
• Base: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Focus: Redistributing used soccer uniforms and equipment
• Model: Donation of gear + fundraising for shipping
• Tax receipts: Via CanadaHelps for eligible donations
• Request equipment: Apply form
• Contact for student interviews: info@secondkicks.ca (include your project deadline + 2–3 questions)
Suggested citation
Second Kicks. (n.d.). For Students. https://www.secondkicks.ca/for-student-giveback. CRA BN 861754364RR0001.
Interviews and calls
Do you want to ask us questions, or does your project need a phone call or a short video chat? We'd love to help!
1. Email us at info@secondkicks.ca.
2. Send it from a parent's or teacher's email, or copy (CC) one of them. Many school email accounts block emails from outside the school. If you write from a school account, our answer might not reach you.
3. Tell us:
• your first name, grade and school
• your project deadline
• 2 or 3 questions
• if you need a call, a few days and times that work for you
4. We'll write back to that email. If you asked for a call, we'll set it up with your parent or teacher.
We don't share a phone number on our website. Please start with an email.
How kids can help
Run a gear drive at your school or club
1. Ask an adult first. Talk to your teacher, principal or coach.
2. Pick your dates. One or two weeks works well.
3. Spread the word. Make posters. Ask to share an announcement. Tell your team.
4. Set out a box with a sign: "Soccer gear for Second Kicks."
5. Collect the right things: full matching team sets, cleats, shin guards, balls and nets. (See "What we collect.")
6. Sort it. Put team sets together. Tie cleats in pairs.
7. Drop it off at Storage-Mart, unit 2568 (with an adult).
8. Tell us about it! Email info@secondkicks.ca. We'd love a photo of your gear (no faces needed).
Help at a sort day
Every year, volunteers meet at a sort day. We sort the gear into team sets and pack the boxes that get shipped. Students and teams have helped before, and it's a lot of fun!
• Want to help? Email info@secondkicks.ca with a parent's or teacher's email copied.
Send us your finished project
Did you choose Second Kicks for Project Give Back or another school project? We'd love to see it!
You can send us your letter, poster, slides or video.
1. Ask a parent or teacher first. They need to say it's OK.
2. Email it to info@secondkicks.ca from their email, or with them copied.
3. In your email, tell us whether we may share your project on our website.
How we share projects:
• We only show your first name, grade and school.
• We cover up last names and signatures.
• We don't post photos of faces.
Thank you for helping more kids play!
— Second Kicks Team
Past Project Give Back reports
Students from many schools have chosen Second Kicks for Project Give Back. Here's what some of them said.
Thank you to every student who taught their class about Second Kicks!
— Second Kicks Team
Get involved
• Donate equipment: Help Us
• Donate funds: CanadaHelps
• Request a kit: Apply form
• Students: email info@secondkicks.ca with your deadline and questions (from or copying a parent's or teacher's email)
• Students: run a gear drive or help at a sort day (see "How kids can help" above)
Thanks for caring about kids who love soccer!
— Second Kicks Team