KSHB 41’s community project Gift of Sole raised $100,800 to help buy shoes for over 1,300 children and teens in the Kansas City metro area. Following a week-long donation drive at www.kshb.com, and a first-time in-person gala with hundreds of people in attendance, the money raised for Gift of Sole doubled in 2022, compared to 2021.
How many times have we seen or read stories about violence involving a teenager’s sneakers?
That’s part of the motivation for Scripps NBC affiliate KSHB Kansas City’s community project Gift of Sole, which raised $100,800 to help buy shoes for more than 1,300 children and teens in the metro area.
Following a week-long donation drive at www.kshb.com, and a first-time in-person gala with hundreds of people in attendance, the money raised for Gift of Sole doubled in 2022, compared to 2021.
You have to admire the way KSHB owned this event with videos in their newscasts and on social media. It was a total station buy-in.
“The generosity of the people of Kansas City is truly remarkable – when we put out the call, our audience stepped up and donated online, or in person at our inaugural gala,” says Kathleen Choal, KSHB’s GM. “For the young people who will benefit from this effort, it’s more than just a pair of shoes. This gift will help boost their confidence and self-esteem, which can lead to improved behavior and better results in school. This effort is a win-win for everyone.”
For years, Kevin Holmes, KSHB’s evening anchor, had the desire to start a community impact project like Gift of Sole. Growing up in inner-city Chicago, he has seen first-hand the impact a new pair of shoes can have on a child, which is why this project is near-and-dear to him.
“The generosity and willingness from our audience to stand behind this project for yet another year means so much to me and our community,” Holmes says. “The money raised will help so many more kids than I could have ever imagined. I’m very blessed and tremendously grateful to the station and the people of Kansas City for rallying behind this effort.”
KSHB 41 received an Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Mid-America Chapter, for Gift of Sole at an awards ceremony on Oct. 29.
Gift of Sole is a partnership between KSHB 41, the Boys & Girls Club of Kansas City, the Urban Ranger Corps and the Scripps Howard Fund. Plans are already underway to distribute the shoes to local kids and teenagers in the coming weeks.
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