The Baseball’s Next Level (BNL) program collected shoes for #Kicks4Kids this past week and the shoes will be distributed next week. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)

#Kicks4Kids began as a project to provide 500 tennis shoes to my own students (out of my own pocket) at Rio Vista Elementary several years ago, but it has now grown into a program that has now spread across six school districts (with more to come) with over 6,500 pairs (over $97,500 worth) collected and distributed to low-income students. Simply, it is the most successful program of its kind.

The program is simple. High school or club sports teams collect one pair of new kid’s tennis shoes (size 12-6) per athlete and the shoes will be delivered to a low-income school in that school’s feeder pattern or to another school in need. If bigger sizes are collected, then we will find a middle school in need but that is not our primary focus. We also take individual donations and monetary donations can be made through the South Tucson Lion’s Club.

In addition, all profits from high school team photos and senior photos goes towards this program. The shoe bank is located at Rio Vista Elementary.

MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM HERE

Schools in Kicks4Kids Program
Rio Vista Elementary (Amphi)
Holaway Elementary (Amphi)
Imagine Amphi Preschool (Amphi)
Keeling Elementary (Amphi)
Coronado K-8 (Amphi)
Roskruge K-8 (TUSD)
Nash Elementary (Amphi)
Prince Elementary (Amphi)
Walker Elementary (Amphi)
Carillo K-5 (TUSD)
Marshall Elementary (TUSD)
Mexicayotl Academy of Tucson (TUSD)
Homer Davis Elementary (Flowing Wells)
Hendricks Elementary (Flowing Wells)
Hollinger K-8 (TUSD)
Donaldson Elementary (Amphi)
Butterfield Elementary (Marana)
Laguna Elementary (Flowing Wells)
Walter Douglas Elementary (Flowing Wells)
Doolen Middle School (TUSD)
Casa de los Ninos (Program)
Miles Elementary (TUSD)
Manzo Elementary (TUSD)
Davis Elementary (TUSD)
Centennial Elementary (Flowing Wells)
Richardson Elementary (Flowing Wells)
C.E. Rose Elementary (TUSD)
Mission View Elementary (TUSD)
Lynn/Urquides Elementary (TUSD)
Ochoa Elementary (TUSD)
Sunnyside High School
Blenman Elementary (TUSD)
Borton Elementary (TUSD)
Holladay Elementary (TUSD)
Cavett Elementary (TUSD)
Roberts/Naylor K-8 (TUSD)
Lineweaver Elementary (TUSD)
Booth-Fickett Elementary (TUSD)
Cragin Elementary (TUSD)
Santa Clara Elementary (Sunnyside)
Liberty Elementary (Sunnyside)
Elvira Elementary (Sunnyside)
Mission Manor Elementary (Sunnyside)
Quail Run (Marana)
Pistor Middle Scholl (TUSD)
White Elementary (TUSD)
Grijalva Elementary (TUSD)
Hudlow Elementary (TUSD)
Sewell Elementary (TUSD)
Wright Elementary (TUSD)
Sierra (Sunnyside)
Los Amigos (Sunnyside)
Ocotillo (Sunnyside)
Drexel (Sunnyside)
Los Ninos (Sunnyside)
Calabasas (Rio Rico)
Han Oyama Elementary (TUSD)
Tolson Elementary (TUSD)
Amphitheater High School (Amphi)
Maxwell Elementary (TUSD)
Flowing Wells High School (Flowing Wells)
Acacia Elementary (Vail)
Whitmore Elementary (TUSD)

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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017 and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com