Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge
Give Back. Step Forward.
Complete the challenge and step into the new year with new kicks.
This winter, Soleful Kicks is challenging school-aged youth across Chatham County to give back, stay active, try new things and work toward a goal.
The goal is simple: complete 10 Challenge Credits over 10 weeks and earn a brand-new pair of sneakers.
Participation is completely free, but space is limited and advance registration is required.
To ensure we can provide sneakers to every youth who successfully completes the Challenge, enrollment is limited based on available funding and program capacity. Families are encouraged to register early.
This is not a giveaway. It’s a challenge — and every step counts.
How It Works
1. Register for FREE
Registration is open November 1–14, 2026 (or until our cap is reached) for school-aged youth who live in Chatham County.
–> REGISTER FOR THE WINTER CHALLENGE HERE
2. Choose Your Activities
Participants receive a Winter Challenge Passport with 20 activities to choose from, including giving back, kindness, helping at home, physical activity and personal growth.
3. Complete and Submit Activities
Each completed activity is worth 1 credit.
Participants may complete and submit one activity per day. The same activity may be completed no more than three times during the Challenge.
Families use a simple online form to submit completed activities for approval.
4. Earn 10 Credits
Reach 10 approved Challenge Credits by January 23 and you’ve completed the Winter Challenge!
5. Choose Your Sneakers
Youth who successfully complete the Challenge get to choose a new pair of sneakers within the Soleful Kicks shoe budget. Ordering information is provided after all 10 credits have been approved.
Why It Matters
The Winter Challenge is about more than earning a new pair of sneakers.
It’s an opportunity for young people to set a goal, make progress, keep going and know that someone is supporting them along the way.
Challenge activities encourage youth to give back to their community, connect with others, help at home, stay active and try something new.
And this winter, parents and caregivers have a role too.
Families receive a simple Parent Toolkit with ideas for encouraging effort, recognizing progress and supporting their child throughout the Challenge. Parents can even take on an optional two-credit challenge of their own.
Sneakers are not the outcome.
They are the catalyst.
Who Can Participate?
The Winter Challenge is open to school-aged youth who reside in Chatham County, North Carolina.
Families with more than one eligible child may register each child separately.
Participation is completely free, but registration is required and space is limited.
What Activities Count?
Participants choose from 20 Winter Challenge activities across five areas:
- Give Back — volunteer, help a neighbor, participate in a service project or do something positive for your community
- Kindness & Connection — perform acts of kindness, thank someone or spend time helping or connecting with another person
- Help at Home — take on a household chore, help prepare a meal or help a family member
- Get Active — walk, reach a step goal or complete physical activity
- Grow — read, learn a new skill or set a goal for the new year
Participants receive the complete activity list and Challenge Passport after registration.
Giving back does not require spending money. There are plenty of ways to help others and your community without purchasing anything.
Important Dates
Registration Opens: November 1, 2026
Registration Closes: November 14, 2026 ( once our program cap is reached)
Winter Challenge Begins: November 15, 2026
Winter Challenge Ends: January 23, 2027
Goal: Complete 10 approved Challenge Credits and earn your new kicks.
Ready to Step Forward?
Registration is free, but space is limited.
Join the Winter Challenge, choose the activities that interest you and start working toward your 10-credit goal.
–> REGISTER FOR THE WINTER CHALLENGE HERE
Have Questions?
Visit our Winter Challenge FAQ for answers about eligibility, activities, credits, parent participation, sneakers and how the Challenge works.
–> WINTER CHALLENGE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
