Rescheduled: 2025 Fargo-Moorhead St. Patrick’s Parade 
FARGO, N.D. – Shoes for Kids, a local nonprofit that provides athletic shoes to elementary school children, is gearing up for a special Giving Hearts Day event to honor its late founder, Mark Knutson. Knutson, a passionate advocate for youth fitness, launched the program in 2010 with the Fargo Marathon, Inc., believing that all children deserve the chance to be active and healthy. He passed away in 2023, but his vision lives on through the Mark Knutson Shoes for Kids Legacy Fund.
The program has seen significant growth thanks to a partnership with SCHEELS, which has nearly doubled its buying power. Since 2020, over 11,000 pairs of shoes have been donated, bringing the total distributed over the past 15 years to more than 20,000. A $20 donation provides a child in need with a new pair of athletic shoes.
This Giving Hearts Day, Shoes for Kids and SCHEELS are teaming up for a 12-hour treadmill challenge at the Fargo SCHEELS (1551 45th Street) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on February 13, 2025. Over 20 local volunteers will take turns on the treadmill, with the total distance covered depending on their pace. The event aims to raise both awareness and funds for the program.
“We are thrilled to continue Mark’s legacy in such a meaningful way,” said James Botnen, Shoes for Kids Board Member. “Giving Hearts Day is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and make a lasting impact in the lives of children who need it most.”
Community members can support Shoes for Kids by donating $20, which purchases one pair of shoes, or by visiting the SCHEELS location on Giving Hearts Day to cheer on the treadmill participants. Donations can also be made online at https://app.givingheartsday.org/#/charity/1943.
