COEUR d'ALENE - Families have a chance to get outside, move and race together for a good cause.

The third annual Run 2 Summer community race benefiting Running Shoes 4kiDs is Saturday, June 27, at the Timberlake High School track in Spirit Lake. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. and race time begins at 11. Registrants can participate in a 1/4 mile for ages 4-7, 1/2 mile for 8-10 and a 1-mile citizens race for 11 and older. Medals and awards will be given out.

Registration is $5 for racers ages 4-14 and $10 for 15 and up. Small children and spectators are free. In place of the registration fee, each racer may donate a pair of new or very gently worn youth athletic shoes to Running Shoes 4kiDs. Event shirts are $15.

Colene Hotmer, founder of Running Shoes 4kiDs and coach of North Idaho Panhandle Cross Country, started the nonprofit organization in 2011 to provide athletic shoes to children in need. During her time coaching, she has seen several children who didn't have the proper running shoes. She said she has seen children running in cowboy boots and dress shoes.

"The last boy I gave a new pair of shoes to - he is quite the runner. I think he ran even faster," Hotmer said. "He just lit up when I took the shoes out of the bag - the fresh new box and smell of the shoes. He just beamed with excitement.

"He had a sparkle in his eye. He was much more driven, more focused and determined to win."

Hotmer's team NiPxc hosts both Run 2 Summer and the Harvest Race held in October. It's our goal to grow bigger and maybe other areas will start their own races to help raise money for kids' shoes, Hotmer said.

"It's a lot of fun to see the little kids out there getting all excited to run," she said. "It touches your heart in a great way."

A shoe donation bin for the new or very gently worn athletic shoes is available at Anytime Fitness in Post Falls, and bins will also be located at Fleet Feet beginning June 13 and Tri-State Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene. A bin will be set up at the race.

Megan Gonzales, co-owner with her husband Matt of Anytime Fitness in Post Falls, said people can donate shoes during staff hours at the club or members can donate anytime. The bin is located in the lobby near the club guest entrance. Staff hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday. The enrollment fee of $49 will be waived in place of a shoe donation of anyone who wants to become a club member.

Gonzales, who also volunteers at Run 2 Summer and the Harvest Race, met Hotmer when she became her daughter's coach. She said she could see her passion behind Running Shoes 4kiDs. She is just so genuinely goodhearted about the cause, she said.

"I just saw there was a good drive behind what she wanted to do and there was a need for it," Gonzales said. "A lot of kids don't have the gear that they actually need to be successful in sports and the shoes is a big part of it."

Gonzales said the push is for athletic shoes, but donations can also be cleats, dance, soccer, wrestling, running or any kind of shoe that can be used for a sport.

Donated shoes will be available at the race for children who are in need to try on and take home.

Local vendors are invited to set up a booth to display their business to the community. So everybody can benefit from helping our communities youth, Hotmer said. Vendors interested in setting up a booth should contact Hotmer by June 20.

Hotmer's hope is that children will go out and enjoy their sports, help strengthen their self-esteem and help them achieve the self-confidence, goals and dreams that they want to chase and run after. So there's nothing holding them back, she said.

"It's super fun to watch these little kids - they are the cutest," she said. "When they put that medal on...they just shine so bright when they are running. These little guys are going to be our future athletes."

Brenda Christensen, who assists Hotmer with coaching the NiPxc team and volunteers at the Harvest Race, said the pride when kids show up in those running shoes the next day is just written all over their face. She said she admires Hotmer who is an amazing coach and has such a passion for running and for the kids.

"There's nothing like it in the area where it's promoting kids getting out, getting active and promoting such a good cause at the same time," Christensen said.

We all need to come together as a community to make a difference in our kiddos' lives, Hotmer said.

For more information contact Hotmer at (208) 704-1772 or http://runningshoes4kids.webs.com.