At the heart of every great community event is a simple, yet powerful idea: that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate, thrive, and pursue their passions without barriers. As we prepare for our annual Run, Walk, Roll 5K + 10-Mile race on September 20, we are excited to announce a special partnership with Kicks for Slicks—a student-led initiative dedicated to making youth athletics accessible to everyone.
Our Run, Walk, Roll event will serve as an official shoe drop-off location for Kicks for Slicks. We invite all runners, walkers, rollers, and spectators to bring new or gently used running shoes to help equip student-athletes across Central Indiana.
Kicks for Slicks was co-founded by Carmel High School student and Junior Board member Neil Adesara alongside three fellow students: Lucas Bartlett, Daniel Chen, and Quinn Sullivan. Driven by their shared background as runners and a commitment to community service, these young leaders identified an obstacle that too often keeps kids on the sidelines: access to proper athletic footwear.
“The idea for Kicks for Slicks came from something that seemed simple to us: shoes can be one of the barriers that keeps a student from participating in a sport they love,” shared Neil. “As runners ourselves, we know how important having the right shoes is. Running shoes aren’t just a piece of equipment, they can affect whether a student is comfortable, confident, and even able to participate.”
Rather than letting a family’s financial situation dictate whether a student can compete in sports, Neil and his co-founders set out to build a sustainable, dignity-centered solution.
Kicks for Slicks works directly with school athletic directors, counselors, and coaches. By building strong relationships with school staff, Neil and his team identify specific students in need and deliver running shoes that match their needs.
Reflecting on their early efforts, Neil noted, “Our first donations were especially meaningful because they showed us that the idea could actually work. Instead of simply collecting shoes and hoping they would reach someone who needed them, we were able to work directly with schools to identify students and provide them with shoes that fit their needs.”
Neil’s commitment to community action runs deep. Having served on the Junior Board of Directors since his freshman year—progressing through roles as Treasurer, Vice President, and President—Neil credits the experience with shaping his approach to service.
Looking ahead to college, where Neil plans to study a field related to science or medicine while staying actively involved in community service, his long-term goal for Kicks for Slicks remains focused on lasting impact:
“We don’t want Kicks for Slicks to just be a one-time shoe donation program,” said Neil. “We want to create a sustainable system where a student can be connected with the shoes they need simply because a school staff member knows to reach out to us.”
We invite our entire community to join us in supporting Neil Adesara and the Kicks for Slicks team on race day! Whether you are competing in the 5K or 10-Mile, cheering on participants, or stopping by to show support, please consider bringing a pair of new or gently-used running shoes to drop in our collection bins. Together, we can ensure that every student has the confidence, comfort, and footwear they need to hit the ground running.
Drop Off Dates and Locations:
- Thursday, September 17 from 4 to 7 PM at Joseph Maley Enrichment Center (7176 Lakeview Parkway West Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268)
- Sunday, September 20 from 8 to 10 AM at Eagle Creek Park (7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254)
You can learn more about Kicks for Slicks via their website at kicksforslicks.org