Some kids dream about making a difference someday. Bentley Gerczak decided to start now.

At 11 years old, Bentley is already making a meaningful impact in his community as the founder and president of 23’s Cleats 4 Kidz, a nonprofit he launched at just 9 years old with the support of his parents, Jim and Kirstin. What started as a simple decision, donating a pair of cleats he didn’t need, quickly turned into something much bigger after he saw firsthand how it helped another athlete play with confidence.

Since then, Bentley has been on a mission to make sure every kid has the gear they need to succeed. Through his organization, he has donated more than 160 pairs of new athletic shoes, helped provide four wheelchairs to Old Glory Honor Flight, organized equipment drives for multiple organizations, and collected food for local families during the holidays. He has also supported other nonprofits and is now taking things even further by planning a youth mental health awareness banquet this May. The event will recognize six student athletes from the Packerland Conference, with one receiving a $2,300 scholarship.

His work has not gone unnoticed. Bentley was featured on a Packer Fence painted by Zane Statz during the NFL Draft, helping bring even more attention and support to his cause. Looking ahead, one of his biggest goals is to have 23’s Cleats 4 Kidz represented in the NFL’s “My Cleats My Cause” campaign.

Beyond his nonprofit, Bentley is a dedicated student at Father Allouez Catholic School, where he recently moved into 6th grade and continues to earn straight A’s. His achievements include winning a district-wide math competition, earning multiple leadership and writing awards, and achieving the highest total score at the GRACE Forensics meet among grades 5 through 8. He has also been recognized as Community Leader of the Year by Stack Sports and even had the opportunity to travel to Spain and England to play soccer at age 10.

When he’s not busy giving back or hitting the books, Bentley enjoys collecting sports cards, playing video games, and attending sporting events at all levels. Whether it’s high school, college, or professional games, he just loves being around sports, especially cheering on the Packers.

At home, life is just as full. Bentley and his family share their home with three dogs: Swag, Optic, and Cheda, each bringing their own personality to the mix. Since moving to the neighborhood in December 2022, Bentley says one of the best parts has been having friends close by to spend time with.

He also appreciates the support his family has received from local businesses, including Body Bella, Lizer Landscape, Capital Credit Union, and The Heel.

Looking ahead, Bentley has his sights set on becoming a sports agent one day. Given everything he has already accomplished, it’s safe to say he is well on his way.

23’s Cleats 4 Kidz is always looking for ways to grow and help more young athletes. To learn more, nominate an athlete, or support the mission, visit www.23scleats4kidz.com and follow along on social media to help spread the word.