Bill Gates says he will donate 99% of his remaining tech fortune to the Gates Foundation. Today, that would be worth an estimated $107 billion. He also announced the foundation will now close in 2045, earlier than previously planned.
East Moline nonprofit Soles for Children will celebrate 10 years of service by expanding to include more events and scholarships in the coming months, the nonprofit announced in a press release Wednesday.
Soles for Children provides more than 1,000 pairs of new shoes, coats and other items to children in need each year, as well as free haircuts and food at events.
“It makes me feel really good that I could step up and help the community and we’re helping everybody,” said Erwin King, founder of Soles for Children. “It’s such a diverse community, so it makes me very happy that I’m able to do this.”
From 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, Soles for Children will host an event providing hairstyles, shoes and other services at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Rock Island. The following week, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, the nonprofit will host a similar event at Friendly House in Davenport.
New this year, Soles for Children will provide $500 scholarships to two children who may need help affording education costs. The nonprofit will also have a mentorship program, where older teens will help young kids try on shoes and receive goods at the two events.
The nonprofit will also have a free photo booth available at the events.
Soles for Children has experienced the impact of inflation in their work providing free items to others, according to the press release.
“Costs have gone up tremendously, but it just makes me work harder,” King 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, so it’s really helping a lot of people.”
More information about Soles for Children can be found at solesforchildren.com.
Volunteer and hairstylist Devviona Muscovalley braids Zoey Huggins’ hair at the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island. Boys had the opportunity to get a cut, and girls had the opportunity, which is new to the program, to get their hair styled after picking out their new clothing and eating pizza.
Myelle Derrick, Miss Juneteenth of the Quad Cities, helps a boy find a new winter jacket at Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
About 30 volunteers helped out at the Soles for Children event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
It was expected that 1,000 kids would show up for the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
A volunteer helps a student find a new winter coat at the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Kids had the chance to pick out their favorite pair of new shoes at the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Kids and their families sat down to eat pizza before picking out their new clothing at the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
Scenes from the Soles for Children shoes and coat giveaway at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island.
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Bill Gates says he will donate 99% of his remaining tech fortune to the Gates Foundation. Today, that would be worth an estimated $107 billion…
Soles for Children held its 9th annual at the MLK Jr. Center on Sunday, September 22, in Rock Island. Kids and families had the opportunity to…
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