Earlier this year, Jimmy Gregg, the top ranked high school punter in the U.S., committed to Syracuse University. He has a bright future of booming punts in the Atlantic Coast Conference, playing under Coach Fran Brown and one of college football’s most dynamic new coaching staffs, building his reputation as a leader both on and off the field.

Through his love of football, Jimmy found his leadership spirit as a fundraiser and volunteer for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).

Looking back on his high school career, I asked Jimmy about his favorite memory. I expected the reply to be about a game-winning kick or a heart-stopping moment when all eyes were on him. But instead, it was about being surrounded by his community and seeing younger players in his town lined up on the football field. “It just hit me that these kids are probably the same ages as the kids who benefit from the work of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation,” said Jimmy, who first began fundraising in kindergarten for the Foundation, and most recently raised thousands of dollars, earning himself a spot at the top as the best fundraiser for Kohl’s Champions.

Kohl’s Champions is a program in partnership with Kohl’s Professional Camps that recognizes top performing specialist athletes (kickers and punters) not just for their on-field talent, but for their off-field impact. Through a partnership with ALSF, the program encourages athletes to raise funds for childhood cancer research by using their athletic accomplishments to inspire donations.

Jimmy found out about Kohl’s Champions one summer at camp when director Jamie Kohl invited him to take part in the newly rebranded program. It was an easy decision for Jimmy, as he remembered his childhood experiences hosting lemonade stands for ALSF. Those early memories sparked a lifelong passion to help others.

“I’d done lemonade stands before. So, when Jamie brought it up, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll raise money again,'" Jimmy said. “But this past season really gave me perspective. This isn’t just some charity drive. These are real kids’ lives we’re talking about. Every dollar matters.” If Jimmy was going to fundraise, he was going to give it his all.

Punting footballs and childhood cancer
Jimmy named his ALSF fundraising campaign: “Punt Cancer with Jimmy Gregg". He began outreach with his parents, friends, and their families before taking to social media and spreading the word throughout his community. His efforts paid off. Donations poured in from all over the country. In total, Jimmy exceeded his fundraising goal by several thousand dollars and ended up punting over 1,586 yards and raising more than $7,800 in donations.

“To know we didn’t just hit the goal but crushed it was the most rewarding part,” he said. “That’s money that’s going toward helping real people. And the fact that I could be a part of that, just by kicking a football. That’s an incredible feeling.”

Jimmy knows that the fight against childhood cancer is one that we need to fight together. “As a punter, you’re kind of on an island. You only get a few chances a game, and when you mess up, everyone notices,” he explained. “Still, just like I rely on my long snapper and blockers, these kids rely on the people around them, and programs like Kohl’s Champions, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation donors, doctors, all of us.”

Now heading into college, Jimmy isn’t planning to stop. If anything, he sees this as just the beginning. He didn’t just choose Syracuse to continue his football career but to continue his journey as a philanthropist and leader. He chose Syracuse because of the culture of giving back that Coach Fran Brown fosters. 

“If I can raise this much money on a high school level, imagine the impact with a national stage, a bigger platform, and a passionate fanbase,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy hopes more athletes like him will step up and use their voices for good. His message to others is simple: If you're blessed with a platform, you should use it to help others.

“If you're not helping people through what you do, you're missing the point,” he said. 

How you can get involved:
Are you a kicker, punter, or athlete looking to make an impact beyond the game? Join the fight against childhood cancer through the Champions program and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Punt, kick, run or just care. However you show up, kids with cancer need you on their team.

Whether you start a fundraiser, host a lemonade stand, or create your own campaign like Jimmy did, every effort makes a difference. Visit AlexsLemonade.org to register your fundraiser and turn your passion into purpose.