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Sweatshirts4EveryKid
Why Companies Like Designer Brands Inc. and Bealls Inc. Are Rallying Their Employees Around Race4EveryKid
Each May, when corporate partners consider joining Race4EveryKid, they usually ask us three important questions: Will employees actually engage? Is it easy to implement? And will it create meaningful impact for both communities and the brand?
For partners like Designer Brands Inc., parent company to DSW and Bealls Inc., the answer has been a resounding yes.
A cause employees race to get behind
Race4EveryKid gives companies a simple, energizing way to engage employees around a shared goal. Through walking, running, swimming, or cycling challenges, participants raise funds for Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid program, helping to provide brand-new athletic shoes to children experiencing homelessness. Plus, corporate partners get the chance to strengthen employee engagement, build culture, and demonstrate purpose in action.
For DSW, Race4EveryKid has already gone beyond traditional corporate giving. It’s created a hands-on way for employees to participate directly in a mission aligned with the company’s values.
The business first joined forces with Soles4Souls in 2018. As Alan Robinson, Market Leader at DSW, says: “We have a long-standing commitment to giving back. A Soles4Souls partnership aligned with our goal of providing shoes to people experiencing hardship and extending the lifecycle of footwear.” Then, in 2023, the company assembled a team of employees that ran, walked, swam, and cycled toward a shared mileage goal while raising thousands of dollars to support 4EveryKid.
For DSW, participation created benefits beyond fundraising: team-building, leadership development, employee engagement, brand visibility, and a meaningful way for employees to make a difference. Alan added, “The chance to support a mission that truly changes kids’ lives is life-changing for participants, too.”
But the most rewarding part of Race4EveryKid? “Seeing how new shoes directly improve the lives of children—supporting confidence, school involvement, and access to activities—is a highly rewarding outcome.”
Easy to launch, built for impact
For many organizations, one of the biggest barriers to fundraising is the concern it’ll create too much work internally. That’s why the simplicity of Race4EveryKid has resonated so strongly with Bealls Inc., who has become a key contributor to our annual Race4EveryKid.
“We partnered with Soles4Souls because their mission—turning shoes and apparel into opportunity—directly aligns with company practices,” said Lindsay Hempfling, Director of ESG at Bealls Inc. “Race4EveryKid is a fun partnership that allows our large organization to get involved in side-by-side company donations.”
What stood out most was how easily the program scaled across Bealls Inc.’s large employee base.
“From event toolkits to responsive partner coordination, Soles4Souls made it easy for us to communicate internally and maximize participation, without adding operational or monetary burden,” Lindsay said. “The proven charitable partnership model and strong impact reporting has helped us scale voluntary participation, communicate outcomes credibly, and expand service opportunities into our employee experience.”
Race4EveryKid also gave employees a direct connection to the impact of their efforts. Employees not only saw the dollars they raised translate into pairs of shoes but also attended local school events where they personally handed those shoes to children. That visible impact helps drive repeat participation and deepens employees’ connection to the company and its values.
That’s why Bealls Inc. sees Race4EveryKid as a turnkey option for brands looking to boost employee engagement and community impact. Lindsay added, “Race4EveryKid is accessible, well-organized, and engages directly with the recipients. It strengthens company culture, offers employee volunteer engagement opportunities, and delivers immediate measurable benefits for kids and communities. I’d absolutely encourage other companies to get involved.”
Measurable impact for kids, families, and schools
While employees’ experiences matter, the real reason Race4EveryKid resonates so strongly is because of its visible impact for children.
For kids experiencing homelessness, brand-new athletic shoes are an often-overlooked basic—one that school leaders say is essential to class participation, confidence, and attendance. Among the schools we partner with:
- 93% have seen an increase in student attendance
- 94% report students gaining a stronger sense of wellbeing
- 98% say the program positively affects families’ quality of life
Children themselves also report meaningful benefits:
- 96% are more excited to participate in school
- 96% feel more confident
- 95% have increased their physical activity levels
When our partners see this measurable change in their local communities, it’s no wonder they return to the Race4EveryKid starting line each and every year.
So, if your business is looking for a simple, high-impact way to engage employees and support local communities, Race4EveryKid offers a proven model. Partner with Soles4Souls to join the movement and help us deliver shoes and confidence to kids experiencing homelessness. Contact Robin at [email protected] to get started.
