A Step in the Right Direction: Rita Case and Soles4Souls Foot the Bill for Brand Name Athletic Shoes
Nearly 500 students receive shoes
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 25, 2025) – The nearly 500 students at North Fork Elementary School stepped up for a new pair of name-brand athletic shoes, socks and books through the 4EveryKid initiative led by Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group and Soles4Souls.
Volunteers from Rick Case Cares, UKG, Coach, Bealls, Broten Garage Doors, DSW, QTS Data Centers, JD Sports/Finish Line, Microsoft, Broward County Property Appraiser’s office, the Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders Team from Stranahan High School and others ensured that all students were properly fitted for the new shoes and received a pair that matched their personality and style.
“Children outgrow shoes so quickly and 71% of students reported their ill-fitting and worn-out pairs of shoes caused foot pain and discomfort that they found distracting. It’s essential for students to concentrate and focus on school so they can graduate to the next grade level on time and earn their diploma,” said Case, who with Soles4Souls, founded the 4EveryKid program in Broward County. “We want every student to get off on the right foot. A new pair of shoes helps them do that.”
Rita and her husband Rick got involved with Soles4Souls in 2013. They began by providing coats and shoes for children at Boys & Girls Clubs in Broward County. Since becoming the founding sponsor and chief fundraiser for 4EveryKid Broward in Spring 2022, Rita has already raised nearly $500,000 for the program with a five-year commitment to secure funding for years to come.
Soles4Souls is a global nonprofit that has provided more than 60,000 pairs of new athletic shoes to children through its 4EveryKid program. Since 2022, the organization has provided 12,960 pairs of shoes through the 4EveryKid program in Broward County in partnership with organizations such as Broward County Public Schools, the Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team (HEART) and the Boys & Girls Clubs.
After receiving new shoes, more than 94% of kids increased their physical activity, felt more equal to their peers and were more excited to participate in school. The free footwear helps parents and guardians allocate their budgets towards other essential expenses.
About The Rick Case Automotive Group
Founded in 1962, the Rick Case Automotive Group has been honored by Automotive News as the National All-Star Dealer and President and CEO Rita Case was named the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year. Rick Case Automotive Group is the nation’s largest female owned and operated automotive dealer group in America, offering Honda, Hyundai, Genesis, Ioniq, Volkswagen, Kia, Acura, Audi, Mazda, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Honda Motorcycles and E-Z-Go golf carts. Celebrating more than 60 years in business, the Rick Case Automotive Group has 12 dealerships in South Florida and Georgia. The South Florida dealerships are known for holding national sales records, consistently ranking among the top performers in markets they serve. Rick Case Automotive Group is headquartered at 14500 W. Sunrise Blvd. in Sunrise, Florida. For more information, visit www.RickCase.com.
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls turns shoes and clothing into educational and economic opportunities. Our programs, 4Opportunity, 4Relief, 4EveryKid and 4ThePlanet, aim to make a positive difference on the planet and in people’s economic, educational, physical, and psychosocial well-being. Since 2006, more than 103 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing have helped create opportunities for people across 138 countries. Soles4Souls is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with Regional Donation Centers and warehouse locations around the world. Visit soles4souls.org for more information.