Brent Hamerlinck had a crazy idea ahead of last Christmas.
The 43-year-old Coal Valley resident decided he wanted to collect shoes for kids and hand them out to students in need in the East Moline School District.
That's how Kicks for Kids was born.
"Back then, we called it Christmas Kicks for Kids," Hamerlinck said. "I think I thought, hoped, that giving kids shoes was something I would do once a year with family and some friends.
"Man. The whole thing took off. People just wanted to help or wanted to be involved."
Not only did Christmas Kicks for Kids distribute 75 pairs of new shoes to students in the East Moline School District, it handed out another 150 of new and gently-used shoes to Closet-to-Closet, an organization that helps foster children.
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"That's why we dropped the Christmas and went with Kicks for Kids," Hamerlinck said. "The need is there and it is something I work on throughout the year."
In August, Hamerlinck and his team of volunteers hosted a golf outing that raised $5,200.
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This Christmas, Hamerlinck and Kicks for Kids volunteers will distribute 90 pairs of shoes to the nine grade schools in the Rock Island-Milan School District.
The organization continues to collect new and used shoes for Closet-to-Closet as well.
Hamerlinck has owned and operated Hamerlinck Construction since 2016. He started coaching his sons, Ethan and Carter, when they were young and enjoys spending time working with kids.
Bringing shoes to kids was a natural extension of Hamerlinck's desire to help.
"Some kids don't have dads. Or Dad might not be in the home or has a job that limits the time he has with his kids," Hamerlinck said. "Volunteering, coaching, working with kids is my way of doing something positive for my community. You find a place where you might be needed and you help."
Hamerlinck said he has some personal reasons for wanting to help.
"I'm a person who struggled with addiction," he said. "I've been honest and open about that. When you hurt other people, the people you love, when you change your life you think about that legacy you're leaving behind.
"I want to build a legacy. I was never a terrible person, but my legacy was not a good one. I want my kids to be proud of me, my family to be proud of me. Other people helped me along the way, so I'm trying to help others."
Donations to Kicks for Kids can be made through its Venmo account at @Kicksfor-Kids.
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