Rain didn’t stop Topeka native and rapper T-Rell from giving away 300 pairs of shoes Sunday at Evergy Plaza, and it didn’t keep families from showing up. In fact, the shoe giveaway was so well-attended most of the shoes were gone before 11 a.m. The giveaway was expected to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Families began lining up prior to 11 a.m., their kids eagerly awaiting a pair of the brand-new, brightly colored sneakers designed by 6-year-old Kaliyah Wheeler, of Milwaukee, Wis.
Wheeler is the founder and CEO of 7 Scooops By the Ice Kream Klub. She was present during the shoe giveaway, posing for photos in a pink and blue jacket she designed. Wheeler said it made her happy to see kids leaving with her shoes in hand. In addition to a pair of shoes, kids also left with a pair of socks and a bag of food.
Jessica Parker brought along her kids Jalaija and Jaliyah and her nephew, Tyson.
“For someone like him who’s been raised in Topeka, his number one thing is to show support to his city, and ever since I’ve known him, he’s always wanted to show support to Topeka, especially the kids,” Parker said. “I think it’s amazing for someone who has the opportunity to do bigger things outside of Topeka to make sure that Topeka stays his number one and to make sure the kids are all taken care of.”
For T-Rell, being able to give away shoes is a humbling experience.
ain didn’t stop Topeka native and rapper T-Rell from giving away 300 pairs of shoes Sunday at Evergy Plaza, and it didn’t keep families from showing up.
In fact, the shoe giveaway was so well-attended most of the shoes were gone before 11 a.m. The giveaway was expected to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Families began lining up prior to 11 a.m., their kids eagerly awaiting a pair of the brand-new, brightly colored sneakers designed by 6-year-old Kaliyah Wheeler, of Milwaukee, Wis.
Wheeler is the founder and CEO of 7 Scooops By the Ice Kream Klub. She was present during the shoe giveaway, posing for photos in a pink and blue jacket she designed.
Wheeler said it made her happy to see kids leaving with her shoes in hand.
In addition to a pair of shoes, kids also left with a pair of socks and a bag of food.
Jessica Parker brought along her kids Jalaija and Jaliyah and her nephew, Tyson.
“For someone like him who’s been raised in Topeka, his number one thing is to show support to his city, and ever since I’ve known him, he’s always wanted to show support to Topeka, especially the kids,” Parker said. “I think it’s amazing for someone who has the opportunity to do bigger things outside of Topeka to make sure that Topeka stays his number one and to make sure the kids are all taken care of.”
For T-Rell, being able to give away shoes is a humbling experience.
