Manchester's Jake Heilbrunn.

When CV Manchester’s Jake Heilbrunn isn’t spending time on the back line for Coach Jeff Illingworth’s BU13 Premier, he’s defending the well being of orphaned kids in Africa.

“I have been preparing for my Bar Mitzvah and part of what I have been taught is helping people less fortunate than me," Heilbrunn said.

Thankful to have been raised with resources and a great environment in which to play soccer, Heilbrunn -- who was looking to do a community service project involving the game he is passionate about -- surfed the internet and found Kicks4Kenya, a soccer charity organization that helps provide kids in Kenya with soccer equipment, food, education and tuition for a soccer league.

“I have seen movies that have taken place in Africa that show young kids with no resources, food, education or other activities and it has always bothered me,” he said.

A soccer ball made out of plastic bags.

The 12-year-old launched a fundraiser, which he tagged "Coins4Kenya," in an effort to raise money for the cause. He passed out bags to the Manchester teams asking that each player in the club collect loose change for the next several weeks in an effort to give the kids in Kenya a chance to play soccer under better conditions. 

“My goal is to donate equipment for a full team as well as give them money for food, tuition and anything else they may need,” Heilbrunn said.

He decided that he, too, would donate to the cause by getting a job as a weekend referee. On top of playing two games each weekend with his Manchester team, Heilbrunn has been referring an average of two games. He makes around $20 per game and hopes to save enough to make a significant impact.

Kenyan boys showing off their plastic-bag soccer ball.

“My hope is that each kid will have the necessary equipment that will allow them to play soccer in good conditions,” Heilbrunn said. “I also hope that they’ll get plenty of food and water, be educated and know that people around the world care.”

Starting today through Oct. 15, Heilbrunn will be collecting coin bags at 4 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday at Ashley Falls fields. Players should look for a red box at the top of the blacktop labeled "Coins4Kenya."

Those players or parents who are not part of the Manchester club but are interested in donating loose change to the cause can contact Wynne Heilbrunn at wynneDH@aol.com. 
 
For more information on Kicks4Kenya, click here.