Athletes Give Back

Empowering Youth Athletes to Use Their Platform for Good and Supporting Local Families Facing Pediatric Cancer

Athletes Give Back is a school-based fundraising and character development initiative that empowers student-athletes to use their platform to make a meaningful difference. Through their sports, teamwork, and leadership, youth athletes can inspire others, rally their communities, and provide critical support to families in Western New York facing pediatric cancer.

By participating, athletes not only raise essential awareness and funds for P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative — a local nonprofit that provides financial, emotional, and practical support to families during the most difficult fight of their lives — but also grow as leaders, teammates, and compassionate members of their community.

For more information on how you can get your team involved, please contact us.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Empower Student Athletes: Help young people recognize the power of their platform and influence.
Build Character: Reinforce values of empathy, service, leadership, and teamwork both on and off the field.
Support Local Families Facing Pediatric Cancer: Provide tangible help to children and families facing pediatric cancer through P.U.N.T.
Strengthen Communities: Create unity, purpose, and pride through collective giving and action.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1) Commit to Athletes Give Back

Schools, athletic programs, or individuals can join Athletes Give Back by e-mailing info@puntpediatriccancer.org with your team information, and a logo (if applicable).

Once registered, P.U.N.T. will provide an activation toolkit to help you succeed and spread awareness. Each school or team who commits to fundraising will receive a full Athletes Give Back Program kit that will include:

Athletes Give Back Banner – to display proudly at games, tournaments, and events.
Silicone Awareness Bracelets – symbolizing unity, hope, and support for families fighting pediatric cancer.
Creative Assets & Promotional Materials – digital graphics, sample social posts, posters, and fundraising page to help share your story and engage your community.
Athletes Give Back T-Shirts – one for each participating athlete, showing team pride and commitment to the cause.

2) Choose a Fundraising Activity

Teams and schools have the freedom to be creative with how they raise funds. P.U.N.T. staff will be on the bench ready to get in the game for any guidance/help as well!

Some examples might include:

Hosting a “Gold Game” where fans wear gold (the color of childhood cancer awareness).
Donating a portion of ticket sales or concessions from a home game.
Organizing a skills clinic, fun run, or lifting challenge with entry fees going to P.U.N.T.
Running a pledge drive where athletes collect pledges per goal, point, lap, or win.
Creating a social media challenge encouraging peers to give and spread awareness.
Partnering with local businesses for sponsorships or match donations.

P.U.N.T. staff are available to provide guidance and examples from other successful school programs.

Building Character Along the Way

Beyond fundraising, Athletes Give Back is about building leaders of character.

Each participating team receives access to Character & Leadership Resources, including:

Team Talk: 5–10 minute conversation starters for coaches to lead before or after practice, focusing on values like empathy, gratitude, resilience, and service.
Spotlight Stories: Hearing real stories of athletes who’ve used their influence to help P.U.N.T. and inspire support for families facing hardship.

Celebrating Your Impact

At the end of each season or school year, participating teams will:

Receive a Certificate of Impact recognizing their contribution to P.U.N.T. and local families.
Be featured on P.U.N.T.’s social media and website.
See first-hand how their efforts help families in need — through shared stories and testimonials from P.U.N.T. families.

Get Involved with Athletes Give Back

Every dollar raised through Athletes Give Back directly supports P.U.N.T. Programs which provide local families facing pediatric cancer with financial, practical, and emotional support from diagnosis to recovery and even bereavement.