CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Athletes love shoes, and that includes Panthers offensive tackle Daryl Williams.
[LINK: About Kicks 4 The City]
“Shoes are awesome now, man,” Williams said. “I got the ADIDAS on now.”
Williams didn’t always have an ability to wear the newest or coolest shoes.
“Growing up as a kid, I have two brothers and two sisters, and money wasn’t always our best friend,” Williams said. “We didn’t come from a household with a lot of money, so I didn’t have a lot of shoes.”
(Daryl Williams)
Williams’ love for shoes, paired with his big heart, led him to donate to “Kicks 4 The City,” a nonprofit organization that collects shoes to give to those in need.
“It’s just part of my nature, part of my personality,” Williams said. “I’m always generous trying to give back to people.”
Williams said he’s grateful to be in a position now with the Carolina Panthers to give back to those in need. He, more than anyone, has an appreciation for what a new pair of shoes would mean to someone.
“Just knowing that you have a warm pair of shoes, you know? Just to protect your feet,” Williams said. “(I’m) trying to protect people other than just my quarterback.”
(Austin Duke)
Providing protection for the feet of those in need also caught the eye of Charlotte native Austin Duke.
“Not having much growing up, and now having a little bit more, it’s not just about accumulating everything for myself, being able to see what I have and give it back to others because I was once in those shoes," Duke said.
The former Independence and Charlotte 49ers standout credits his mother and father for raising him to be selfless. He said his family was fortunate to never be homeless, but he grew up going to Goodwill, which helped him develop the empathy he shows to others.
“I have a big heart and just want to give back to the community, and ‘Kicks 4 the City’ was a great opportunity for me to help do that,” Duke said. “You never know who’s watching, who you’re inspiring, who you’re motivating or who you’re touching.”
Duke started his own project-based nonprofit and is currently working hand-in-hand with “Kicks 4 The City,” which originated in St. Louis.
Charlotte is one of seven cities in the U.S. taking part in “Kicks 4 the City,” along with Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
Duke donated shoes at Orange Theory Fitness in Charlotte before taking part in their workout.
“A lot of people have the heart to give back, and the want to give back and the will to give back; they just don’t know where to start,” Duke said.
As others look to get involved by giving back this holiday season, Duke offered the following message: “Do what your heart tells you to do, you don’t have to do anything special to be special,” he said.
The sixth annual “Kicks 4 The City” shoe drive runs through Friday.
You can donate shoes at the following locations:
Two Scoops Creamery: 913 Central Avenue, Charlotte
Orange Theory Fitness: (Ballantyne)14825 Ballantyne Village Way a180 Charlotte
(Quail Hollow) 8402 Park Rd., Charlotte
(South End) 2317 South Blvd., Charlotte
Outlaw Hair Co.
6324 Fairview Rd. Charlotte (located inside Sola Salons, Suite 111)