Play for Blake raises over $65K in teen’s memory to help kids play soccer
The Play For Blake Foundation recently had its first fundraising event to honor the life and legacy of a teenager who died in a bicycle accident last June.
The nonprofit foundation was launched to honor the memory of 13-year-old Blake Buchbinder and is dedicated to empowering young athletes through soccer. Blake played for the Boynton Knights travel soccer club and was a team captain.
Blake’s parents, Darren and Amy, are Boynton Beach residents and founders of the nonprofit. The foundation’s kickoff event was in partnership with The Red Meat Lover’s Club, an exclusive networking group that gathers to raise funds for different local charities. The event took place at the Diadem Pickleball Complex in Coconut Creek and attracted over 300 people and raised over $65,000.
The Play For Blake Foundation creates opportunities for children with limited resources and provides underprivileged kids of all ages with access to youth soccer. The foundation has a mission for children to experience the joy of the game and to help make a difference in the lives of children through one goal, one smile and one cherished memory at a time.
“Blake had played all types of sports since he started walking,” Darren said. “He was a really good athlete. Soccer became his No. 1 sport and he literally loved it. He followed the Premier League and Liverpool was his favorite team. He was beyond his years, knew so much about the sport and was very knowledgeable, which helped him become a really good player. He was well-liked by his teammates. We are close friends with the families. We loved going to the games and looked forward to the weekends.”
Blake, who played middle school soccer, recognized some schools did not have proper equipment and players took the field with sneakers instead of cleats. The foundation is committed to providing soccer balls, cleats, shin guards and additional equipment to Title I public schools as well as middle schools and soccer organizations in need.
“Blake would want equal opportunity to all for the game that he loved,” Darren said. “Our goal is to help children who are underserved and give them access to soccer equipment. We will do whatever it takes to give them an equal playing field and to make that happen.”
The kickoff event provided an opportunity for community members and businesses to learn about the foundation’s vision and mission and to get involved to support the cause. They had a silent live auction as well, which included an auction item to receive a lesson from Delray Beach teen and professional pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters. Inter Miami professional soccer players also signed autographs and appeared in photos at the event.
“It was pretty amazing and a huge success,” Darren said. “Evan Darnell from The Red Meat Lover’s Club was instrumental in helping put this together. It will be an annual event and our biggest each year.”
Blake, who attended summer camp in Pennsylvania for several years, will be honored through his friend’s mitzvah project during a flag football fundraiser in Woodbury, New York on Nov. 7 with all proceeds going to the foundation.
The Play For Blake Foundation will have a fundraiser at a soccer tournament in December, which will include Play For Blake merchandise. They also plan to have a fundraiser during the spring at a restaurant.
Warren, a restaurant in Delray Beach, previously held a fundraiser to support the cause. Boynton Beach residents Scott and Jill Hodes also sold Play For Blake iron-on patches with all funds raised going to the foundation.
“The support of the community has been overwhelming,” Darren said. “We are very thankful to everybody.”
Visit playforblake.org.