The Rick & Rita Case Boys & Girls Club of Broward County in Davie was transformed into a shoe store as more than 150 Club members kicked off the new year with new, brand-name athletic shoes donated by the Soles4Souls 4EveryKid program, which was founded in Broward County by Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, and Soles4Souls.
Rita Case, along with Rick Case Automotive Group associates and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) and his family, volunteered to help members select and get fitted for their stylish new sneakers.
“In addition to building good character and helping members achieve academic success, the Boys & Girls Clubs promote a healthy lifestyle, which includes athletic involvement,” said Case. “Quality athletic shoes are important for children to run, play and shoot hoops alongside their peers while at the Club, the park, the playground, at school and in their neighborhoods. We were thrilled that Congressman Moskowitz could join us in bringing such joy to these kids.”
Soles4Souls, which is committed to turning shoes and clothing into opportunity, partners with schools and organizations across the country to donate new athletic shoes to children experiencing homelessness and in underserved populations.
“As one of the biggest sneakerheads in Congress, I was so happy to participate in this shoe drive with Rita and Soles4Souls,” Congressman Moskowitz said. “I believe every kid deserves a bright future and a shoe that fits.”
Since becoming the founding sponsor and chief fundraiser for 4EveryKid Broward in Spring 2022, Rita Case has already raised nearly $500,000 for the program with many five-year commitments to secure funding for years to come. To date, nearly 7,000 kids have received new athletic shoes in Broward County through the 4EveryKid program in partnership with the Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team (HEART). This gives kids the opportunity to participate more fully in school, and it frees up resources their parents can then use for other necessities. Millions of kids in the U.S. don’t have stable housing, and their families lack sufficient resources to meet all their basic needs. More than 18,000 kids in southeast Florida are experiencing homelessness, with at least 7,000 of those in Broward County alone.
“We continue to be amazed by the generosity of the people of South Florida and how they show up in such a big way,” Buddy Teaster, President and CEO of Soles4Souls. “The Boys & Girls Club of Broward County and Rita Case are incredible partners and we’re looking forward to being able to serve alongside them again soon.”
Rita and her husband Rick became involved with Soles4Souls in 2013. They began by providing coats and shoes to children at Boys & Girls Clubs in Broward County, Florida.
