Mall of America's Huntington Bank Rotunda turns into a shoe-themed playground on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when Level Up! Field Day brings sports-inspired challenges and family activities to the mall floor.
The event is a joint effort between the mall and Soles4Souls. It's the centerpiece of Level Up 4EveryKid, a back-to-school campaign the two organizations launched to raise $150,000 for new athletic shoes for kids experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities.
Soles4Souls says more than 10,000 kids in the Twin Cities experience homelessness, and that when a family lacks stable housing, new school shoes often get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. The field day is meant to raise both money and awareness for that gap ahead of the school year, with families and sports fans invited to take part in shoe- and sports-themed games and challenges.
Organizers are also recruiting volunteers to help run the event; anyone interested can sign up through the Level Up 4EveryKid campaign page.