For Emily and Keith Davis, owners of Fleet Feet in both Winston-Salem and Clemmons, caring for others has always been the heartbeat of their business.
Outfitting those in need around the community with well-fitting shoes was just the start to their good works – which has evolved into their worldwide reaching charity, appropriately named Good Works Engine.
While answering God’s call to serve others and inviting their Winston-Salem community to join in helping underserved populations both locally and globally, Emily and Keith have also witnessed their mission shaping the lives of their three daughters – Addison (18), Hope (16) and Samantha (10).
As the family has balanced owning a business and building community, their faith – strengthened at home on a daily basis – is the constant in every single endeavor.
“In all the projects our family has been involved in, we could never have imagined what God had planned,” shares oldest daughter Addison. “I am continually inspired by how God is working in ways we cannot see or understand. Through my parents, I have learned that committing your life to Christ-like service takes trust and sacrifice, but the goodness of His plan is beyond our imagination.”
Early on during Emily and Keith’s ongoing missions in Kenya, Addison accompanied her dad there when she was in first grade.
“I clearly remember a drastic change in how I understood the world. I met kids my age who were addicted to sniffing glue to forget the pain of hunger, and I played with kids who had lived on the streets since they were toddlers. Coming home, I understood there was so much more to the world than the life I knew. On that trip, I fell in love with the country and people of Kenya – who have shaped who I am today.”
A more recent favorite moment for Addison came while enjoying NOMAD Farms International Week, hosting recently placed refugee families. “We had the opportunity to fit 60 kids and their parents for new shoes,” she shares. “It was the most joyful day with families from nations around the world enjoying each other’s company.”
Daughter Hope also recalls noticing the major differences between children’s lives in Kenya and her own life here in Winston-Salem. “They all work so hard just to get the simple things they have,” she adds.
And, there is so much work to be done!
“We leave for Kenya as a family in late December and will be working with students at the running academy, as well as local village ministry,” shares Emily. “Since we were in Kenya last year, we helped coordinate building three new mud homes in the local slum and a new community toilet. On this trip, Keith will be taking Samantha on her first safari, while Addison, Hope and I have opted for visiting the large slum, Kibera, in Nairobi. That means visiting families and playing soccer with the boys’ groups there – coordinated groups that aim to keep teenage boys out of gangs. As a mom, I love that my girls would rather love on kids in the slum than take another safari!”
Emily and Keith also organize mission trips for first-time visitors to Kenya, have provided resources to build three churches there and work with Transcend Talent Academy, the running academy in Cherangany, Kenya founded by Boston Marathon Champion Wesley Korir. The academy provides a high-level high school education and run training to Kenya’s most talented student athletes. In 2021, Emily and Keith partnered with Wesley to build a school for the academy.
On the local front, shoe fittings for the Winston-Salem community have always been a source of joy for all three girls. “I love our shoe fittings with little kids and seeing how excited they are for shoes in fun colors!” shares Hope. “A lot of the kids have never had a new pair of shoes before. They are so happy!”
Samantha also loves giving young kids the excitement of new shoes that encourage them to run and play. “At shoe fittings, I love seeing their happy faces – and then I love racing with them!” she says. Yes, running is very much a family affair, and this past summer, Hope and Addison were thrilled to run a half marathon with their mom. “It was such a special experience, as running is something Addison and I love doing together,” adds Hope. “Right now, we’re training for the Mistletoe Half, and we’re planning to run the Chicago Marathon next year to benefit Transcend Talent Academy. It’s been such an awesome way to push each other, and we have made so many memories through the sport!”
Very much a family passion, Samantha also won the 9-10 age group for the NC Junior Triathlon series. But, no matter their busy schedules, there’s always time for thinking about the many lifelong friends they’ve made in Kenya.
“I’m planning to have a hot cocoa stand soon to raise money for the kids in Kenya,” says Samantha. “I’ll use that money to buy things for them at the store, and I know the first things they will ask for are bread and milk.”
Also during December, Good Works Engine will be fitting kids at the annual “In the Name of the Father” event at the Forsyth Correctional Center, where they fit the children of incarcerated men with new shoes and also sponsor an annual 5K. Learn about their newest charitable venture – bingwacoffee.com – where they will be importing coffee and starting a coffee co-op in Kenya to help poor rural farmers.
The Davis family joyfully invites you to join their efforts both locally and worldwide. Contribute to Good Works Engine by selecting the donate button under “community” on their website (fleetfeetws.com), by visiting goodworksengine.org or by emailing [email protected]. Good Works Engine always seeks volunteers to help around the local community – sign up on fleetfeetws.com.
Fleet Feet Winston-Salem is located at 278 Harvey Street in Hanestowne Village Shopping Center, 336.722.8477 and at 6339 Jessie Lane in Clemmons, 336.293.8660. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @Fleetfeetws to learn more about their fit process and to be inspired!
