Fargo Marathon Charity Partnership
In 2010, Mark Knutson and Essentia Health Fargo Marathon, Inc. established its first Shoes for Kids Campaign, aimed at supporting children across the Fargo community. Mark was a beloved community leader who believed in the importance of physical fitness, particularly for youth. After his tragic death in 2023, the program officially became an Impact Fund, moving forward in Mark’s memory as the Mark Knutson Shoes for Kids Legacy Fund – Powered by SCHEELS. This program focuses on supporting elementary age children within local schools by providing them with essential running shoes that promote an active and healthy lifestyle, ensuring the continuation of his remarkable legacy and dedication to a cause that meant so much to him.
Want to help? A $30 donation will buy one pair of shoes for a kid, hopefully a future marathoner, next fall!
It’s very easy for us to take things like shoes for granted, but the reality is that many students in our community don’t have the luxury of something as simple as a new pair of shoes. We believe that no child should have to “sit out” of gym or extra-curricular sports because he or she doesn’t have a pair of shoes! Remember the first day of school when you were a kid? You had those bright new shoes, and it was great! We believe every kid should have that same proud feeling.
SCHEELS Shoes for Kids
SHOES FOR KIDS MISSION STATEMENT: TO PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION – SHOES – TO CHILDREN OF ALL AGES SO THAT THEY CAN ENJOY THE FREEDOM, THE SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND THE PHYSICAL & MENTAL WELLBEING THAT COMES FROM THE SPORT OF RUNNING.
Local Partnerships
Shoes for Kids has partnered with SCHEELS since 2020 to help purchase the shoes. Because of their vendor relationships, we have been able to almost double our buying power and have donated over 11,000 pairs of shoes since just 2020, making the 15 year total over 20,000 pairs of shoes.
We are proud of the power of local partnerships and appreciate the support of other partners who are committed to continuing Mark’s legacy of compassion, community, and commitment with the importance of physical fitness, particularly for kid’s right to run, play, and thrive.
Registration
When you register for one of the events of the Fargo Marathon, you have the option to donate to Shoes for Kids, and we’d be grateful if you could. We need to keep kids running strong for years to come! Any donation amount is appreciated! 100% of the net proceeds will go to the Shoes for kids campaign!
Get Involved
Want to buy a pair of shoes for a child in need? For only $30, you can help a child feel confident, comfortable, and encourage lifelong health and wellness by ‘buying’ a pair of shoes! Of course, we will accept any denomination of donation ~ 100% of the net proceeds will go to the Shoes for Kids campaign!