Michele’s Mission: 45 Shoes for Our Youth

Imagine standing at the starting line of a 5K, ready to race toward a goal you’ve worked months to achieve—but the shoes on your feet are worn thin, too small, or falling apart. For many kids in our Youth Fitness Program, that is the reality.

As the Director of Youth Programs, I have the incredible privilege of seeing what happens when we remove that barrier. It’s about more than just rubber and laces; it’s about the transformation that happens when a child feels supported, confident, and ready to move. I am the one who gets to place those brand-new shoes into their hands, and I see their faces light up with the realization that they are capable of finishing that target 5K.

This Big Day of Giving, my personal mission is to raise $2,000—enough to provide 45 pairs of high-quality running shoes for our students. These shoes are the tools they need to embrace our mission of MOVING INTO LIFE with strength and joy.

Our organization has a big goal of $50,000 this year, and every dollar of my $2,000 target goes directly to getting these kids across the finish line.

Will you help me put 45 kids on the path to success? Any donation, large or small, helps us ensure that no child is left at the starting line. Let’s get them moving!