COEUR d’ALENE — They weren’t glass slippers, but the fit on Sophie Giovanelli’s new shoes was just as perfect.
Black and covered in a variety of stars, Giovanelli said that after switching sneakers with a couple of girls, she finally found her shoes.
“Black goes better with everything. They caught my eye,” Giovanelli said.
The shoe giveaway through Soles4Souls Inc. gave away 500 shoes to Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls youth and 1,000 Bombas socks Monday afternoon at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.
Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, said the annual giveaway is critical to building up the confidence of local children so they feel more comfortable participating in school and sports.
She believes the shoes give kids one more tool for them to get to the next grade on time.
“Shoes have been proven through research to build self-esteem and name brand shoes make them feel more like they’re belonging with the group and they want to participate in athletic activities,” Case said.
Baine Larson said he already has big plans to test them out on the soccer field while he alternates between being the goalie and playing striker on offense.
​
“They stood out to me, I just liked them,” Larson said.
Lola Hagadone had a smile on her face as she watched the kids find their favorite fits and gave credit to Case for making it possible.
“Rita has done such a wonderful job procuring the shoes and I feel it’s an honor to participate,” Hagadone said.
Kids were able to choose from colorful kicks lining the room with brands including Fila, Shaq, Adidas, Rebook, Sketchers, Vans and Nike.
This year marked the eighth year of the giveaway and as always, adult volunteers assisted them so they could find their perfect pair of sneakers.
Mayson Mitchell selected some colorful shoes from Under Armor which were a little too big now, but he was confident he’d soon grow into them.