BUFYNWA is a nonprofit, local, grassroots initiative to champion the power of teamwork in every neighborhood that calls Buffalo home. Our mission is to deliver gifts to teams that also champion teamwork, so these gifts could be lasting reminders of unique experiences only teammates can share. We feel teams composed of teenagers and young people in Buffalo would be influenced best by our efforts.

A team is a group of two or more that works cohesively to accomplish a common goal. However, not everybody has the chance to be on a team or part of a group. Many of us did get a chance to be part of a team but are not anymore. For many, it's been a decade or more since the last time that team was together at once. Some of us are lucky to still have any memorabilia at all that reminds us of our time with our teammates.

Some teams compete where losing is part of the competition, losing is something that all of us have experienced. Even though teams can be bitter rivals, the feeling of losing in a competition is something they have in common, whether they would like to admit it or not.

We love our team sports, and we also love our community groups and neighborhood clubs. We can cheer for our favorite 11th-grade science team that came in 5th place, but we cannot help them compete. Moreover, we can support our favorite high schools’ musical recital but cannot be in the play.

We can be upset when our favorite cheerleading team loses a competition, but we cannot perform with them. Also, we can root for our favorite soccer, hockey, lacrosse or football teams, but we can never be on them.

We would like you to join us on what will become our team. Team- “Buffalo, You’ll Never Walk Alone” or BUFYNWA for short. We already helped each other through so much in the past; we raised money for local charities, we have been there to talk when those close to us needed us, we dug each other out of the snow, and we all helped another teammate with a ride to practice when they needed it. BUFYNWA has been undefeated for decades and will continue our winning streak for generations.

Everybody loves to watch the game, but not everybody recognizes the work done behind the scenes to make the game happen. While 85% of our gifts will be physical items for teens to treasure, the other 15% will go toward the development of youth coaches, referees and organizations. Many coaches do not realize the impact they can have on young people, and every coach should have the resources to equip themselves with the personal and professional skills to be an effective leader. Our goal is to help empower coaches with knowledge. The silent elephant in the room of youth sports is the lack of qualified referees and officials. Many times, this is a thankless job whose personal sacrifices have all, at one point, been taken for granted. Organizations, coaches and referees that have access to more resources are going to improve the quality of the experience for everybody involved, down to the team and their families and fans.

Special shout out to Liverpool and Celtic Football Club fanbases for inspiration.

Special shout out to Gerry and The Pacemakers.