Brad Cesmat
Connor White from Brophy College Prep is this weeks Valle Luna “Making a Difference” Athlete of the Week.
Connor established Freekicks in the Fall of 2016, and created a website, www.freekicks.net, to collect new and gently used soccer equipment so that underserved and refugee children in my community and abroad have the opportunity to play soccer.
White distributed over 400 pairs of cleats and shoes, 100 balls, 20 nets, and hundreds of articles of clothing to children. Communities include Congolese, Nigerian, and Syrian refugees in Phoenix, a Guatemalan orphanage, local schools and individuals in need, and the Welcome to America Project.
He created the organization freekicks.net, which was built from the ground up starting the fall of 2016. He created the mission statement, acquired the trade name, built the web site, advertise on other websites and with businesses, collect all donations from individuals around town and purchase items needed from cash donations, and deliver all the donations to all recipients. Recipients include NPH Guatemala, a large community of refugees in west Phoenix from the Congo and Syria, Palo Verde Middle School with Somali refugees, and individuals in need.
“My mission statement is: “Freekicks is dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives and communities locally and globally by giving them donated gently used or new soccer equipment, giving kids a free kick, the chance to play soccer. We find inner strength and joy when we come together as ONE WORLD to bring communities together and enhance the lives of children through soccer, which is universally healthy for the mind, body, and soul.” Connor White, this weeks Valle Luna “Making a Difference” Athlete of the Week
