The Buddy Fund has been changing lives through sports since 1962 by providing sports opportunities for kids through local service organizations. We seek to improve the character and life skills of disadvantaged kids by delivering sports equipment to organizations that provide structured sports and recreational activities in the metro St. Louis region. It is a proven concept that boys and girls who participate in organized sports learn to play by the rules, develop self-confidence, appreciate the value of teamwork, and set personal goals. Those values create a mindset that keeps kids off of the streets and in schools, providing them with a significantly higher chance of happiness and success.