Get a kick out of giving back! Like Diva Lauren Alper.

When she was eleven, she turned her passion for soccer into a passion for helping kids, one kick at a time.

A Masai girl in Tanzania proudly displays what Lauren calls a "piece of gold," a pair of soccer cleats Lauren donated through her non-profit Kleats for Kids.

I've played competitive soccer my whole life. About five years ago I went to Costa Rica with my family. And I saw these kids with amazing soccer skills, ten times better than me. But they had no shoes, no shin guards...no protection.

I realized that so many kids at home throw away cleats, or try soccer and throw their gear in the back of their closet. And so why not collect cleats and make somebody's day, someone who has very little, but that these pair of cleats will mean everything to.

And so, with the support of my family, including my little sister Gillian, I started Kleats for Kids. We've been fortunate to donate soccer gear to kids in need close to home, and as far away as Africa, India and Thailand. You can't believe the kids' appreciative reactions when I give them their cleats. Something we take so for granted, they see as their piece of gold.

I think wherever you go, it's great to give back. We've done that on family vacations.And last summer I met kids from around the world to participate in a travel service program in rural Thailand. Together we did everything from helping villagers plant their fields, and build houses, to teaching English to kids in an orphanage. I gave a lot, but got so much more in return!

LESSON LEARNED:

I didn't know the difference that I was going to make, until I was there and saw it happening. You can make a difference, and don't doubt that you can.

To find out more about Kleats for Kids or to donate soccer gear, check out kleatsforkids.com

For cool travel/service experiences check out Rustic Pathways and Global Works: rusticpathways.com or globalworksinc.com