Thanks to a new partnership between Brown's Shoe Fit in Macomb and the Rotary of Macomb (Noon Rotary), 55 Macomb students across grades K-5 recently received new tennis shoes.
'We want to send a huge, heartfelt thank you to Jimmie and staff at Brown’s Shoe Fit of Macomb for making our students at Lincoln and Edison feel so special,' the Macomb School District recently shared. 'Through Kicks for Kids, a partnership between Brown’s Shoe Fit of Macomb and the Rotary of Macomb Club, several students at Lincoln and Edison received brand new shoes. Thank you for your continued support of students in our district.' Last year, the Noon Rotary teamed up with Brown's owner Jimmie Koller to provide funding and support for the Macomb Shoe Fund, now called Kicks for Kids, Koller created almost five years ago. The fund was established after an anonymous donor approached him and provided $2,000 to buy 50 pairs of tennis shoes for children in Macomb. Edison School Social Worker Chandler Adkisson identified students in grades K-5 who were in need of new shoes, and from there, the program was off and running.
In 2025, the Rotary of Macomb Club agreed to contribute $500 each year for the next five years, and serve as the repository for donations toward the program. The goal is to raise $2,000 (or more) each year. Thus far, over $3,500 has been raised, which has created a surplus in case some extra students are identified, Koller added.
'We hope to grow the program so we can include K-8 students, and eventually, high school students as well. The proceeds from the golf outing we are hosting June 19 at Gold Hills will go into the Kicks for Kids fund,' Koller explained.
'The Noon Rotary of Macomb Club has been very instrumental in helping with the program. Community support has been fantastic, along with support from some of our great customers who patronize our store regularly.'
Adkisson gives Koller the students' shoe sizes, and from there he picks out shoes, valued at up to $50 each. After he picks out just the right shoes, he delivers the bundle to Adkisson to distribute. If necessary, Koller will measure a student's foot to ensure that they get just the right fit.
To donate, checks, payable to the Rotary Club (mention Shoe Fund in memo), can be sent to Rotary Club of Macomb, PO Box 213, Macomb, IL 61455.
'Our company motto is 'With You Every Step,' and that's what I try to do. Not only do I work with my customers to ensure their needs are met, I'm with them in the community,' he added. 'My parents were very generous people and they instilled in me to help out when you can, so that's what I try to do.'
