Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez, NBA Superstar Kawhi Leonard, Moreno Valley advocate Miesha Slayton, and New Balance teamed up to create Kawhi's Kicks, a special "kicks," also known as, "sneakers" giveaway event. The New Balance shoes handed out were donated to Moreno Valley children enrolled in "A Child’s Place," the City's after-school child care program.
Children from low-income families were treated to this special pre-Easter shoe and gift giveaway to ring in the Spring season on Thursday, April 1, 2021.
Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez, Members of the City Council, Miesha Slayton, and City Staff worked together to distribute over 120 sneakers at the City's Conference and Recreation Center.
“I am glad that we were able to provide these special gifts to the children of the City's after-school program,” said Mayor Gutierrez. “The pandemic has hit our community hard, and I hope that we were able to bring a smile to the faces of both the kids and the parents we helped. I am very grateful to Kawhi, Miesha, and New Balance for their continued support of our community."
Kawhi Leonard has always been proud of his Moreno Valley roots. Whether he's dominating on the court or out for a jog, he's often seen dawning a pair of custom New Balance shoes that prominently feature Moreno Valley's City Seal.
"I'm proud of where I come from. Moreno Valley is my hometown, and I will always do whatever I can to give back to this community, said Kawhi Leonard. The Leonard family is well known for their charitable contributions to the Moreno Valley community.
"As a resident of Moreno Valley, it was my great pleasure to work with Mayor Gutierrez to help bring this event to my city," said community advocate Miesha Slayton. "My brother Kawhi and I are planning to do more great things in MoVal."
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