Making a difference one pair of shoes at a time
Join Zeman's Kicks for Kids in our efforts to create a better world for all.
Our Story
Zeman's Kicks for Kids was founded in 2018 in memory of Denise Zeman. For 34 years, Denise was a highly dedicated and devoted physical education teacher in the Winfield school district. Loved and admired by both students and teachers, she poured her heart and soul into the district that meant so much to her. As a teacher, Denise was respected by peers, parents, and students for her big heart and the ways she showed concern for each and every one of her students. Her uncanny ability to be stern and strong while at the same time warm and caring toward her students was matched by no other. It was well-known by her students that Denise loved her gym shoes. Proof of this was seen in the fact that students would often keep track of how many days it took Denise to wear a pair twice. As a PE teacher, she was known to make the gym shoes of her students a familiar topic of conversation and got such a kick out of the stories her students would tell her about their gym shoes. Never one to let anybody feel left out, it was not unusual for Denise to bring a pair of her shoes for any student who was in need. Done anonymously from others and with a heart full of love Denise would get such joy from seeing a student beam with pride over receiving not only a pair of gym shoes but a pair from his/ her PE teacher!
This is what gives us the motivation to continue that spirit of giving in honor of Denise. We have worked to establish partnerships with local schools in the Winfield/West Chicago area, and your offerings of used shoes and donations allow us to purchase new shoes for deserving students in those communities.
Our Mission
The mission at Zeman's Kicks for Kids is a simple one. We hope to provide the opportunity for deserving students in the Winfield/West Chicago area to start the school year with a new pair of gym shoes.
Our Impact
At Zeman's Kicks for Kids, we measure our success by the amount of shoes provided to the local community. Started in 2018, and back after a hiatus from Covid, we were able to provide over 100 pairs of shoes (as well as smiling faces) to students within the Winfield/West Chicago area. Elementary students from the following schools benefitted:
- Currier
- Pioneer
- Turner
- Wegner
- Gary
- Indian Knoll
And for that, we would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the staff, students, parents, and community members who made all of this possible and for all your continued support on this effort. Denise Zeman would be so proud!
