For Ken Levandoski and his wife Margie Espe, the founders of The Gift of Soccer Foundation, what began as a simple observation at their children’s soccer club (serving about 1,500 families) evolved into a global movement rooted in generosity, sustainability, and community. Every two years, youth club soccer teams switch uniforms, leaving behind thousands of barely used cleats, jerseys, and equipment, while demand for such gear in underserved communities remains high.
Realizing the opportunity, Levandoski redirected this surplus to underprivileged youth both locally and worldwide. Thus, in 2010, The Gift of Soccer Foundation was born.
“As a youth soccer coach, and a parent, I saw how much usable gear was discarded each season,” Levandoski recalls. “Cleats that no longer fit, jerseys worn for just one year, balls replaced too soon… It was frustrating, and we knew there had to be a better way to bridge that gap.”
A Mission to Give Back
The Gift of Soccer Foundation collects, repurposes, and distributes gently used soccer gear to children and communities in need, reaching places from the U.S. to villages in Ecuador and Uganda.
More than just gear, the foundation provides these resources to humanitarian organizations to foster joy, community, inclusion, and strong bonds that support better health, education, and essential services. Soccer, Levandoski notes, is a universal language, uniting people from different backgrounds and cultures. Through donated gear, children build confidence, experience teamwork, and access the beautiful game while reducing waste.
The impact is often deeply personal. Levandoski shares stories of children in Ecuador sleeping in their donated jerseys and of youth in Ukraine, just before the war, receiving gear that brought pride and a sense of normalcy amid hardship.
Powered by DreamHost Since Day One
As the foundation grew, so did the need for a strong digital presence. With a background in website development multimedia, Levandoski, also founder of Lionsky Media, knew the value of a secure, reliable hosting provider. That’s why, over 21 years ago, he chose DreamHost, and he’s never looked back.
“The customer service [at DreamHost] is amazing,” Levandoski emphasizes. “They never make you feel stupid. They’re always available, any time of night. The uptime is great. The back end is easy to use.”
With DreamPress, VPS Hosting, and Shared Hosting plans, Levandoski manages the Gift of Soccer’s website and others for his business and clients. DreamHost’s consistent performance has been essential in supporting the foundation’s global reach, now reaching over 31 donations to over 20 countries and touching countless lives.
He credits DreamHost’s tech support team for quickly resolving issues, recovering data, and enabling remote management via the DreamHost panel, offering peace of mind for a nonprofit that depends on reliable online operations.
The DreamHost Difference
Levandoski highlights several key advantages of DreamHost:
- Reliable Uptime & Performance – The Gift of Soccer site is always available to coordinate donations and outreach efforts.
- World-Class Support – “It feels like I have my own IT team,” Levandoski shares. “The support has been beyond expectations.”
- Scalability & Security – DreamPress handles growing traffic with speed, security, and priority support.
- Seamless Website Overhauls – In July 2023, the foundation used DreamHost’s staging tools to smoothly revamp its site without downtime.
“There hasn’t been a single request we couldn’t meet,” Levandoski says, reflecting on the capabilities afforded by DreamHost. “It’s a combination of solid tech, helpful support, and smart suggestions.”
A Partnership Built on Trust
Levandoski’s commitment to sustainability and community outreach aligns perfectly with DreamHost’s values of innovation and customer empowerment. To him, DreamHost is a trusted member of the team.
Looking ahead, he envisions developing apps to match donors with specific needs and automate donation tracking, as well as partnering with larger organizations like MLS and FIFA to expand awareness. That growth depends on DreamHost’s continued reliability and scalability.
The Gift of Soccer’s journey is proof that passion, purpose, and the right partners can create meaningful change. With DreamHost as their digital foundation, Levandoski and his team can focus on what matters most: bringing the joy of soccer to children worldwide.
⚽ Join This Incredible Mission!
Whether you’re a soccer fan, philanthropist, or believer in the power of sport, The Gift of Soccer Foundation welcomes donations, volunteers, and partners. Learn more, read inspiring stories, and get involved at www.thegiftofsoccer.org!