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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — A Quad Cities nonprofit that has spent the past decade providing shoes, coats and haircuts for children is expanding its efforts with two fall events and new scholarships.
Soles For Children, founded by Erwin King, will host its annual giveaway Sept. 21 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Rock Island and Sept. 28 at the Friendly House in Davenport. Both events run from 2 to 5 p.m.
More than 1,000 children are expected to receive new shoes, winter coats, accessories and free haircuts or styling from local barbers and stylists. Each event will also feature a photo booth and a $500 scholarship. In total, two children will receive $500 to help with education costs.
“The biggest thing I’m excited about is I’m going to be able to help both sides of the river,” King said. “If they’re in need, we want to help them.”
King said the group has felt the strain of rising costs but is committed to meeting community needs.
“Costs have gone up tremendously, but it just makes me work harder,” he said. “We’re also helping the parents because they don’t have to make a decision between buying coats and shoes or paying their bills.”
King founded Soles For Children in 2015 to provide free clothing and services to kids across the Quad Cities. He said the milestone anniversary motivates him to expand.
“It makes me feel really good that I could step up and help the community,” King said. “It’s such a diverse community, so it makes me very happy that I’m able to do this.”
The organization is seeking donations and sponsors ahead of the September events. More information is available at the group’s website or Facebook page.
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