Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
How Do NFL Players Make a Difference? They Donate Their Cleats.
By Myles Barker
Published 6 years ago on
March 21, 2019

Share

In addition to special-ed students’ artwork and the sound of swing-era music, those visiting the Kids’ Cafe 2019 in downtown Fresno are greeted by another treat.

Custom-designed cleats from Detroit Lions cornerback Andre Chachere.

“Special education is something that is close to my heart. I have always done stuff with special needs kids and students since I was little so when I heard about the Kids’ Cafe, I felt like that would be a great place to donate my cleats.” — Andre Chachere, Detroit Lions cornerback

Chachere, who starred at Clovis West High School, donated his cleats to the cafe as part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign.

The initiative is a collaboration between the NFL and its players. It gives players the opportunity to auction off a pair of their custom-designed cleats with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting a charity or cause of their choice.

Last season, more than 800 NFL players showcased causes that are important to them with custom cleats during Week 13 games as part of the campaign.

Driven By The Heart

However, instead of auctioning his cleats, Chachere chose to donate them to Kids’ Cafe 2019 to raise awareness about special education students, many of whom work in the cafe.

“Special education is something that is close to my heart,” said Chachere, a three-year starter at San Jose State. “I have always done stuff with special needs kids and students since I was little so when I heard about the Kids’ Cafe, I felt like that would be a great place to donate my cleats.”

Andre Chachere donated these custom-designed cleats to the Kids’ Cafe 2019 in downtown Fresno as part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign.

Cafe manager Paul Romero said you can’t put a price on Chachere’s gift to the cafe.

“I think (the cleats) are worth more in sentimental value than any auction would provide for them,” Romero said. “We see them as a talking piece, something that guests can get excited about.”

Not Your Ordinary Cafe

The Fresno County Superintendent of Schools opened the Kids’ Cafe in January 2017. It serves as a classroom for special-ed students in FCSS’ Adult Transition Program (ATP) by allowing them to work and gain vocational and social skills necessary to be self-sufficient.

“It is really a wonderful experience for the adult students to interact with the public and learn skills to hopefully help them gain employment,” said Lisa Birrell, the communications and public relations officer for FCSS.

ATP student Alex Whitley said it was cool meeting Chachere and is happy that he visited the cafe.

Jim Yovino Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

“To have Andre represent Kids’ Cafe is really an honor for not only our office, but for every one of these kids.” — Jim Yovino, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

“It is good that he supports the people,” Whitley said.

A Priceless Moment

Jim Yovino, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, said Chachere couldn’t have donated his cleats to a better place.

“To have Andre represent Kids’ Cafe is really an honor for not only our office, but for every one of these kids,” Yovino said.

Chachere’s mom, Romy Chachere, said seeing her son giving back to the community was priceless.

“Having him be a part of this and giving back to an organization that not only do I work for, but something that is my heart and passion was a proud moment,” said Romy Chachere, who works for FCSS’ SELPA and special education departments. “It is one of those things my husband and I both have strived for — to make sure our kids always give back to the community.”

Watch: Derek Carr and Other Raiders Talk About My Cause My Cleats

DON'T MISS

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

DON'T MISS

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

DON'T MISS

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

DON'T MISS

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

DON'T MISS

Massive Ground Beef Recall Affects Restaurants Nationwide, USDA Warns

DON'T MISS

Chris Stapleton Wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen Is Entertainer of the Year

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

DON'T MISS

Putin Says Russia Has Tested a New Intermediate Range Missile in a Strike on Ukraine

DON'T MISS

SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Who Led US Crackdown on Cryptocurrencies, to Step Down

DON'T MISS

Is Fresno Mobile Home Park Controversy Over? Tenants Applaud Federal Judge’s Ruling

UP NEXT

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

UP NEXT

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

UP NEXT

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

UP NEXT

Wiggins, Curry Power Warriors to Dominant Win Over Hawks

UP NEXT

Sale and Skubal Claim Cy Young Awards After Historic Pitching Triple Crown Seasons

UP NEXT

What Will Happen to CNBC and MSNBC When They No Longer Have a Corporate Connection to NBC News?

UP NEXT

Bulldogs Stack Double-Doubles Like Burgers on a Plate to Beat Prairie View

UP NEXT

Fresno County Men Arrested in Armed Robbery Near Sanger High, Sanger Academy

UP NEXT

Love Seeks Redemption as Packers Prepare for 49ers Rematch

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested After Oakhurst Crime Spree Leaves K9 Injured

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

2 hours ago

Massive Ground Beef Recall Affects Restaurants Nationwide, USDA Warns

2 hours ago

Chris Stapleton Wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen Is Entertainer of the Year

2 hours ago

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

2 hours ago

Putin Says Russia Has Tested a New Intermediate Range Missile in a Strike on Ukraine

2 hours ago

SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Who Led US Crackdown on Cryptocurrencies, to Step Down

2 hours ago

Is Fresno Mobile Home Park Controversy Over? Tenants Applaud Federal Judge’s Ruling

3 hours ago

Wiggins, Curry Power Warriors to Dominant Win Over Hawks

3 hours ago

Sale and Skubal Claim Cy Young Awards After Historic Pitching Triple Crown Seasons

3 hours ago

What Will Happen to CNBC and MSNBC When They No Longer Have a Corporate Connection to NBC News?

3 hours ago

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

It sometimes seems that we have lost the ability to truly communicate with one another. It is not so much what we say to one another, but ho...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

2 hours ago

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

2 hours ago

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

2 hours ago

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

2 hours ago

Massive Ground Beef Recall Affects Restaurants Nationwide, USDA Warns

2 hours ago

Chris Stapleton Wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen Is Entertainer of the Year

2 hours ago

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

2 hours ago

Putin Says Russia Has Tested a New Intermediate Range Missile in a Strike on Ukraine

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend