Would you go for a run in flip-flops and jeans? The answer is more than likely no. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many area children participating in school running programs. A new local group is looking to fix that and needs your donations.

Michelle Neill noticed a need for running shoes while she was volunteering last fall with the cross country program at Lincoln Heights Elementary. Neill put out a request for gently used gear over Facebook. Shortly after shoes and shorts started showing up on her front door.

Soles4Youth was born and Neill, along with her friend Lesli Cleveland, wants to provide proper shoes and clothes for kids who love to run. They've partnered with Active4Youth who fund the fall and spring school running programs.

Race for the Cure runners will be greeted by something new at the finish line this year. A bright pink tractor. Northwest Farm Credit Services have been working with volunteers and donors from across the North Idaho and Eastern Washington region to get the tractor ready in time for its race day debut.

Northwest FCS is the finish line sponsor at this year's Race for the Cure and they wanted something big to greet finishers. Jennifer Rohrer, the Public Relations Communications Coordinator, saw a picture of a pink tractor online and thought it would be a great way to represent the communities that they serve.

Two Spokane families are on a mission to provide meals for 5000 homeless, and they plan on doing it one crayon at a time.

The idea behind Colors of Hope is simple, take old, broken crayons and melt them down to make new, even better ones. Maliaka Hefling and her family of seven came up with idea after reading an article about a similar project in her son's children's magazine.

The Heflings, along with another family, are already busy collecting old crayons. 100 percent of the proceeds from selling the new crayons will go directly to the Union Gospel Mission. The family toured the charity in February and were amazed at all the services they provided to area homeless.