For Allison Baker, founder of Kickoff For Kids (K4K), the mission has always been about more than sports—it’s about community, opportunity, and creating a place where kids can thrive. Since starting K4K in 2017, Allison and her dedicated team of volunteers have turned what began as a small women’s flag football tournament into a nonprofit organization that touches hundreds of lives each year.

Allison’s journey with K4K began with a Christmas tradition: a women’s flag football tournament to raise funds for local kids. “It started with my friends and me organizing a tournament to help families with clothes, toys, and money around the holidays,” Allison shared. The annual event still happens, but now in the summer, bringing people together to give back. But two boys, Aries Soto and Jose Torres, saw the potential for something even bigger.

“Aries and Jose loved the tournament so much, they wanted to start their own league—and they did just that!” Allison said with pride. Their enthusiasm inspired the launch of K4K’s kids’ league, creating a year-round program that includes fall and spring flag football for kids ages 3-15 and a summer basketball league. Today, the program serves over 900 kids annually, with 40% of participants receiving financial aid to play for free.

“It’s so cool to see that when you give back, people want to give back to you.”

For Allison, the heart of K4K lies in its sense of community. “We have over 50-60 volunteers on a game night, and it’s so cool to see that when you give back, people want to give back to you,” she shared. Allison quickly credits the league’s success to the many people who help run it. “I may be the founder, but there are a lot of people who put time and effort into this league. I’d be lost without them.”

The kids who helped spark the program’s creation have their own stories to share. Jose Torres, one of the original founders, recalled how it all started. “I helped start K4K after going to the women’s tournament. It was really fun, and I came up with the idea to start a kids’ league every Friday night.” For Jose, K4K has been a place to grow and shine. He still vividly remembers his best moment at the last Allstar game: “There was no time left on the clock, the game was tied, and I caught the ball in the endzone to win. It was such an exciting moment!”

For Aries Soto, K4K provides a positive outlet, especially during summer. “My favorite part of the program is the summer basketball league because it keeps me busy when there’s no school,” Aries said. He’s also made unforgettable memories, like winning the Super Bowl MVP two years in a row with his best friends. The boys explained it’s moments like that that make K4K so special.

The program runs on the dedication of its volunteers and the generosity of the South Boston community. There are countless ways to get involved, whether it’s coaching, attending games, or donating to support scholarships and team uniforms. “The camaraderie down here is crazy—you’d think people were watching an NFL game!” Allison laughed. Every dollar raised is reinvested into the kids and the community, from sponsoring teams to funding Christmas gifts for families in need and donating to local schools.

None of this would be possible without the support and leadership of K4K’s incredible board members: Victor Baldassari (Commissioner), Jacqueline Beggan, Lily Joyce, and Al Mallon. Their dedication and the creative talent of Cassidy from Produced4Soul, who captures the heart and energy of the league so beautifully, ensures K4K continues to grow and make a lasting impact on the South Boston community. Learn more on their Instagram page or website and support Allison, her team, and the kids when able! For more information, check out our full video interview below.