In our Quad Cities community, there are hundreds of children who are wearing years-old sneakers. The shoes are threadbare, with holes in the soles, and they may have been passed down from an older sibling.

Winter in leaky shoes is tough on a kid. Add in the social stigma regarding clothing, it could just lead to not caring about school. That’s why area teachers identify their most promising candidates and send them off on a Shoe Day Field Trip. Hundreds of children will converge on Famous Footwear in Moline, where staff and volunteers will fit them for new shoes and warm socks.

It was an event formed thirty-odd years ago by the Telecom Pioneers, mostly employees of Illinois Bell. The program is still going strong and the need is even greater.

Shoes Day is one day a year occasion when underprivileged children are bussed to Famous Footwear on December 11th for free socks, shoes, gift bags and treats and as you can see in the video they meet Santa!! The 2025 event cost 11,000 so any donation is welcomed and appreciated! Besides any donations, Please pass the link along to any and all down the many social media platforms.

Thanks for stopping!

Peace!