Getting their first new pair of sneakers every year is one of those warm and wonderful childhood memories for many adults. They’ll never forget the thrilling moment they slid their feet into the sneakers and instantly felt cool, proud, and ready to show the world how fast they could run and how high they could jump.
But there are children in the Greater Kansas City area right now, who face daily disappointment, embarrassment, and bullying, because their sneakers are old and ugly. The truth is, their parents cannot afford to buy them a new pair of sneakers. That’s why KSHB 41 is launching our 3rd year of the Gift of Sole.
Starting Friday, Sept. 1, we are asking our viewers to make a financial donation which will be used to purchase a brand-new pair of sneakers for teenagers from financially struggling families. Our campaign will end on Saturday, Oct. 21, with our Gift of Sole Gala, at The Abbott event space, 1901 Cherry Street, in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s a fun, glamorous evening where guests dress-up and wear their favorite pair of sneakers! We’ll have live entertainment, an open bar, an elegant dinner by Chef Brad from Lula Southern Cookhouse. We’ll have both a live and silent auction.
KSHB 41 Anchor Kevin Holmes is the heart behind the Gift of Sole Gala. Kevin knows the pain of being teased by other teenagers because his sneakers were old, worn-out, and ugly. When he was a teenager, his parents didn’t have the money to buy him a new pair of sneakers, so Kevin had to make-due with his old sneakers. He remembers being teased and rejected by other teenagers because his sneakers were so raggedly. Now, Kevin is doing everything in his power so Kansas City teenagers from financially struggling families don’t have to suffer rejection and embarrassment because of raggedy sneakers.
Now in it’s third year, the Gift of Sole has already raised more than $145,000 and purchased almost 3,000 new pairs of sneakers for Kansas City area children and teens in need. This year our beneficiaries are Sophomore boys and girls at Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri; and Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas; as well as teenage boys at Kansas City Urban Ranger Corps.
Tickets are on sale for the Gift of Sole Gala. Each ticket is $150. The gala runs from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at The Abbott, 1901 Cherry St.. You’ll enjoy an open bar, live entertainment, and a plated dinner by the Chef at Lula Southern Cookhouse, in Kansas City. The live and silent auctions include exciting items and experiences that will help raise even more money to buy sneakers for Kansas City area teens in need.
