Allina Health New Shoes, Healthy Kids

Allina Health is distributing 10,000 pairs of new athletic shoes and socks to kids in need so they are able to run, play and be active. The New Shoes, Healthy Kids events will occur at 16 Allina Health locations throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Saturday, April 18.

Locally, 250 pairs of shoes will be distributed at Owatonna Hospital, 2250 N.W. 26 St., from 9-11AM.

At the New Shoes, Healthy Kids events across the region, more than 1,500 volunteers at 16 Allina Health and community locations throughout the Allina Health service area will fit kids to their new shoes and help test them out with active play.

The shoes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and children must be present. Shoe sizes available are kids 12-3 and boys and girls 4-7.

Shoes are not guaranteed for all.

Allina Health purchased 10,000 pairs of athletic shoes through a partnership with Two Ten Foundation, BBC International, BCNY/Synclaire Brands and New Balance. Through these partnerships, the average cost of a pair of new athletic shoes to Allina Health was $7.50 -- less than 50 percent of wholesale cost.