NORTH PORT — Another season of TOPSoccer is about to begin, and program director Jennifer Sessa invites athletes with disabilities between the ages of 4-19 to join up and take the field once more, as well as “buddies” to help guide them through soccer activities.

“Last season we had about 25 kids with disabilities and about as many volunteer buddies as well,” Sessa said. “Each child should have their own buddy, who is usually a middle school or high school student working toward his or her volunteer hours with Bright Futures. That’s a Florida college scholarship program that charts hours devoted to community service. They like to see the high school students put in anywhere from 75-150 hours of community service. I know some kids have gotten between 25-75 percent of their college tuition paid through Bright Futures.”