Kids get their kicks
Rita Case stands with some of the kids who received new shoes at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy Boys and Girls Club
A volunteer helps a boy try on new shoes at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County on Wednesday.
COEUR d’ALENE — Kids at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County were running faster and jumping higher Wednesday.
At least, they thought they were.
New shoes will do that.
“I’ve never had shoes this nice before,” said one smiling little girl to Mark Kuhnhausen, executive director of the club on 15th Street, before she raced away.
“It was awesome,” Kuhnhausen said.
About 300 boys and girls received free shoes and socks courtesy of Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group.
Adidas, Skechers, Reeboks and Filas were among the array of sizes and colors of athletic shoes in boxes on tables set around the gym's perimeter, where volunteers waited to help them find just the right pair.
Some were easy to please. Others wanted to try on several pairs before settling on one. Case just wanted them to find sneakers that make them smile.
“They’re all great kids,” she said.
Case has been behind this annual giveaway through Soles4Souls Inc. for about six years and has distributed thousands of shoes.
She does it because she is convinced the impact goes beyond comfortable shoes. Kids, Case said, are very much into popular name brands. Wearing them is a boost to their confidence and self-esteem, which she believes is critical at a young age.
She said having new shoes like Nike on their feet can give them the willingness to join in sporting events and other activities. Or just walk and run with pride.
“And I want that for these kids,” Case said.
This year, Case arrived with 500 pairs of shoes. Because there were hundreds of shoes leftover after about 300 kids were fitted with the perfect pair, some families were invited to stop in afterward and take shoes home.
“We had more shoes than we had club kids,” she said.
Case said she loves supporting the Boys and Girls Club.
“This is a great organization that makes a big difference in the community,” she said.
Kuhnhausen enjoyed seeing so many boys and girls proudly strutting around in new shoes.
“It was a special day for us and the kids,” he said.
A volunteer helps a boy try on new shoes at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County on Wednesday.