CareSource and Bengals partner for second straight year to provide shoes and socks for children in need in southwest Ohio

Cincinnati Bengals Accepting Donations for Shoes 4 the Shoeless at Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 1 as part of NFL’s My Cause My Cleats league-wide initiative

CINCINNATI, Ohio (CARESOURCE) – Cincinnati Bengals fans attending the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Sunday (December 1, 2024) are encouraged to bring new socks to donate to children in need across southwest Ohio. Donation stations will be located throughout the stadium for fans to drop off socks in support of the National Football League’s (NFL) My Cause My Cleats initiative during weeks 13 and 14 of this year’s NFL season.

Players from across the league are wearing customized cleats in honor of causes they have chosen to support through the My Cause My Cleats initiative. Players have the opportunity to pick a cause that is important to them and represent a charitable organization with custom designed cleats.

“Working with the Cincinnati Bengals and Shoes 4 the Shoeless is another way we are working to help improve the lives of children in our community,” said Steve Ringel, CareSource Ohio market president. “We believe in the power of collaboration to create positive change and encourage every fan to join us in supporting Shoes 4 the Shoeless and children in need at the game on December 1.”

My Cause My Cleats celebrates the positive and influential impact many around the league have made in their communities and provides them a unique opportunity to highlight the work they are passionate about off the field and bring it on the field.

The program has become a big part of the NFL’s way of using its platform to shine a light on causes that are important to the players. According to NFL.com, the league describes the movement as a chance for the players’ voices to be heard about things that matter most to them. Players will have the option to donate their game-worn cleats to NFL auction where fans can make their favorite players cleats their own. All proceeds from sales go to the respective cause selected by their favorite players.

“I am honored to partner with CareSource and Shoes 4 the Shoeless this year,” said Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson. “By wearing shoes that will be raffled off to support this incredible organization, we can help ensure that children in our community have the footwear they need to thrive. It’s all about making a difference together.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from CareSource and the Bengals,” said John Forde, Greater Cincinnati Area director for Shoes 4 the Shoeless. “Their commitment to our mission helps us provide new shoes and socks to children who need them most. Together, we can make a lasting impact in our community.”

About Shoes 4 the Shoeless

Shoes 4 the Shoeless, Inc. is a non-profit that provides new, correctly fitting gym shoes and socks to Southwest Ohio children in desperate need. Through a uniquely efficient and effective system, we help children eliminate one of poverty’s most visible stigmas. In Southwest Ohio, an estimated 60% of children live in poverty. The majority of them are in desperate need of shoes and socks. Wearing ill-fitting and worn shoes often condemns children to physical, social and emotional problems that last a lifetime. Shoes 4 the Shoeless began in 2010 and has helped well over 160,000 children.