Thurgood Marshall Elementary School students step out in style with new athletic sneakers provided through Rita Case and Soles4Souls initiative

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – At Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, an ordinary school day recently turned into something far more memorable. Laughter echoed through hallways, students gathered with anticipation, and one by one, nearly 300 children walked away with something simple—but powerful. A new pair of sneakers.

For many of these students, the moment meant more than just new footwear. It meant comfort, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Thanks to the 4EveryKid initiative, led by Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, in partnership with the nonprofit Soles4Souls, every student at the school received not only name-brand athletic shoes, but also socks and books.

The effort was not a quiet one. Volunteers filled the campus, carefully helping children find the right size, the right fit, the right feel. It was hands-on, personal, and thoughtful. Teams from Rick Case Cares, Children’s Services Council of Broward County, Bealls, United Way of Broward County, UKG, and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office all played a role in making sure each child left with something that truly fit—not just physically, but emotionally.

The need behind the initiative is real, and often overlooked. For many families, keeping up with children’s rapid growth can become a financial challenge. Shoes, in particular, are something kids outgrow quickly, yet rely on every single day.

“Kids grow so fast and that sometimes puts a financial strain on families to keep up. Sixty-nine percent of students expressed difficulty focusing in the classroom due to improper footwear. Shoes should never interfere with their learning and concentration,” said Case, who founded the 4EveryKid program in Broward County with Soles4Souls. “We not only encourage all children to get a proper education, but to also remain physically fit. New sneakers that fit properly can help achieve both.”

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Her words highlight a deeper issue—one that connects something as basic as shoes to a child’s ability to succeed in school. When footwear is worn out, too tight, or simply uncomfortable, it becomes more than an inconvenience. It becomes a barrier. A distraction. Something that quietly affects focus, participation, and even self-esteem.

That is where programs like 4EveryKid step in, bridging the gap in ways that ripple far beyond the classroom. For many students, putting on a new pair of sneakers can feel like stepping into a new version of themselves—one that is ready to run, play, learn, and engage without hesitation.

Rita Case’s involvement with Soles4Souls dates back more than a decade. Alongside her husband Rick, she began supporting the organization in 2013, initially providing coats and shoes to children at Boys & Girls Clubs across Broward County. Over time, that commitment grew into something larger.

Since becoming the founding sponsor and chief fundraiser for 4EveryKid Broward in the spring of 2022, Case has helped raise more than $575,000. That funding has been enough to ensure that children facing housing insecurity within Broward County Public Schools receive a new pair of shoes and socks every year for five years. Yet events like the one at Thurgood Marshall Elementary go even further—extending that generosity to the entire student body.

The impact is measurable. According to Soles4Souls, more than 95 percent of children who receive new shoes through the program report increased physical activity. They feel more equal to their peers. They become more excited about attending school. These changes, while rooted in something as simple as footwear, can influence a child’s overall well-being in profound ways.

For families, the benefits are just as significant. With one essential need taken care of, parents and guardians can redirect their limited resources toward other priorities—food, housing, school supplies. In this way, a single pair of shoes becomes part of a larger support system.

Soles4Souls itself has a global reach, having distributed more than 112 million pairs of shoes and clothing items in 139 countries since 2006. Through programs like 4EveryKid, 4Opportunity, and 4Relief, the organization focuses on creating tangible change in areas such as education, health, and economic development.

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Locally, its partnership with organizations like Broward County Public Schools’ Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team and the Boys & Girls Clubs has already delivered more than 15,000 pairs of shoes in Broward County since fall 2022. Each distribution tells a story—of need, of response, and of community coming together.

The event at Thurgood Marshall Elementary was made possible through the support of numerous partners, including the Channel 7 Foundation, The Cathy and James Donnelly Fund, and the Rotary Club of Weston. Their contributions helped transform what could have been a simple donation into a full-scale experience for students.

As the day unfolded, the excitement was unmistakable. Children compared their new sneakers, smiled as they tried them on, and, in many cases, refused to take them off. It was a moment of joy, but also one of quiet dignity—of being seen, supported, and valued.

In the end, the sneakers may wear out, as all shoes eventually do. But the feeling they brought—the confidence, the comfort, the sense of inclusion—will last far longer. And for the students at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, that step forward, quite literally, may make all the difference.