SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – One local artist is turning sneakers into support for Special Olympics athletes as they prepare to compete on a national stage.

What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something much larger for Team South Dakota. After discovering his work on social media, Special Olympics South Dakota reached out to artist Michael Middlen about designing a single custom shoe to auction off and raise funds.

“So I had stumbled upon him on Instagram and I just reached out and you know just kind of told our story of what USA games is and what it means to us and see if he wanted to partner with us to do a custom shoe and to raffle it off,” said Haley Zerr, head of sports and competition for Special Olympics South Dakota.

But after hearing more about the athletes and their journey, Middlen decided one pair wasn’t enough.

“So initially when we first started communicating, it was just going to be one pair of shoes, and then we met with him one day, and he brought it to our attention like, Hey, I would love to do a pair for everybody, so that was shocking to us but very rewarding,” Zerr said.

Instead, Middlen took on the task of hand-painting 67 custom pairs of shoes for every athlete and staff member representing South Dakota at the USA Games in Minneapolis.

“When I heard their story, it just really touched me and moved me, and I just felt that I needed to do something for them, and I just figured this would be the best way to do that,” Middlen said.

Each pair is uniquely designed, incorporating both the Special Olympics logo and the sport each athlete will compete in, adding a personal touch to every step they take.

“But I really wanted to do something to make it more personal, and I always try to do that with every custom to make it a little more personal to the individual that’s receiving them. So I thought it would be a really cool addition to add the sport logo of the sport that the athletes are competing in. So every athlete is going to get a pair in their own size, it will have the Special Olympics logo on one shoe, and then it will have the sport they are competing in on the other,” Middlen said.

Beyond design, the project carries a deeper meaning centered on unity and inclusion.

“I just wanted to really bring inclusion and help everyone, from staff to the athletes, to feel like they’re all one and just lift these athletes up and support them as they are going into the games,” Middlen said.

For many of the athletes, this is an experience they’ve never had before, making it all unforgettable.

“You know a lot of them have never received anything like this or gone to a USA Games, so it’s a big deal for all of our athletes attending,” Zerr said.

The custom shoes will also help Team South Dakota stand out as they represent their state during the opening ceremonies.

“And that was our whole thing behind this: we wanted to stand out when we go to the opening ceremonies. So just South Dakota and they all have matching shoes, custom shoes, so yeah, it’s a big deal for us,” Zerr said.

As excitement builds for the USA Games, leaders say the effort also highlights the broader need for community support.

“To be able to represent our state with the number of people we have going which is 67 to Minneapolis is a big important thing for us but the fundraising for that and raising money and awareness for getting our athletes there to compete is where we need help for the community as well,” said Nick Moen, president and CEO of Special Olympics South Dakota.

Middlen hopes the project encourages others to give back in their own way.

“I don’t think the public is completely aware of how much of a need there is to support them, and everything they rely on is donations, and you know, I think when people think of giving, they think that it’s gotta be money or whatever, but lots of times the best thing you can give is just your talent and your time,” Middlen said.

As Team South Dakota prepares to take the national stage, they’ll do so backed by more than just preparation, carrying with them a visible reminder of the support behind them.

More information on the Special Olympics of South Dakota and where to donate can be found here, and entering the custom shoe raffle drawing can be found here.

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