OWLS HEAD — A young child wearing winter UGG boots is not a sight one would imagine seeing on a summer night in downtown Rockland. 

That is, however, what John, Gayle and Carson Murphy, of Owls Head, witnessed three or four years ago, a scene that served as the launching point of the family’s philanthropic endeavor Kicks 4 Kids. 

The organization, now in its third year, provides new sneakers, or kicks as they are called in slang, to students in need within the RSU 13 and RSU 40 districts. 

With the exception of some seed money donated by John’s colleagues at Fisher Engineering and a match challenge by a member of Fisher’s management team, the initiative is largely funded by the Murphy family. Occasionally, the family receives other unsolicited donations from family and friends. 

At this point, the family has not sought or asked for donations. 

“We have been content to fund Kicks 4 Kids ourselves and have this be our little philanthropic thing like many of the back to school backpack programs that are common around the region,” said John. “Having been around young people for many, many years while coaching youth sports, this just seemed like a natural fit for us. And, it just so strongly illustrated the tremendous need in Midcoast Maine and we feel blessed to be in a position to give back in some small way.” 

The family works with contacts within the 13 schools encompassing the two districts with the school personnel providing a screening process to ensure the organization assists as many students and families as possible without exhausting the entire operating budget and ensuring those with the greatest need receive priority. 

Thanks to strategic shopping and a few years of experience, the cost per student hovers within the $25 to $50 range. 

The family has used its data history to generate an approximate idea of how many shoes to purchase ahead of the new school year and determine what sizes are the most in demand. 

Shopping is primarily done during back-to-school specials with the Nike Outlet in Freeport and Olympia Sports generally running specials with heavily marked down prices. 

The family makes every attempt to match a student’s shoe preference, though John and Gayle ultimately make the final decision based upon overall need and stock. (They do, however, separate shoes into boy colors and girl colors.)

Nike and Under Armour shoes are almost exclusively used since, as John noted, those brands are among the most popular and will match what other children wear. 

“Peer pressure is real, and we want to do everything we can to also relieve the students of any burden that may come along with their choice of footwear,” he said. 

In the 2018-19 school year, 85 students were outfitted with new sneakers through the program. 

This school year, 100 students, or slightly more, are expected to be outfitted. 

Those wishing to donate can message the group on Facebook (facebook.com/KicksforKidsMidcoastMaine) or email (kicksforkidsme@gmail.com). 

The organization, at this time, is not a registered nonprofit, so donations are currently not tax deductible. 

The family has discussed registering as a 501(c) or 501(c)(3) organization in the near future, however, following John’s retirement in 2020. 

If the organization moves to being a registered nonprofit, John anticipates being able to partner with other area nonprofits to increase the funding base and perhaps even expand the program to include other districts. 

In the future, the organization hopes to establish formal relationships with large retailers to develop a special pricing program. With a reduction in sneaker costs, the organization would be able to serve more students. 

Those in need or know of someone in need should contact the office personnel at the child’s school within RSU 13 or RSU 40. The entire process will be handled with the utmost discretion. 

Reach George Harvey at: sports@penbaypilot.com.