Lincoln family honoring son’s legacy and raising awareness about congenital heart defects

Dana and Greg Ludvik have known their share of heartbreak.

On February 17, 2014 their son Miles was born, but he never made it home from the hospital.

At just six days old the newborn died from a congenital heart defect.

Brokenhearted, the family chose to turn their grief into action and Shoes For Miles was born.

“This shoe drive is just a way to also give back to the community and it’s a fun way for us to celebrate Miles and remember that he lived, he was here,” Dana Ludvik, Miles mom and founder of Shoes For Miles, said. 

Almost five years later, the family has collected over 3,330 pairs of shoes all while raising awareness about congenital heart defects.

To celebrate what would have been Miles’ fifth birthday, the family is once again collecting shoes.

“There’s something about getting a brand new pair of shoes as a kid, there’s a really special feeling about that and we wanted to be a part of it.”

They’re asking for donations of new shoes for toddlers to teenagers and they’ll all be donated to Foster Care Closet, a local organization that helps kids in crisis.

With hopes to help as many kids as possible, the couple has a big goal set for this year.

“Knowing that this is the fifth year and five is a big year for a kid and we just know that we would be celebrating that fifth birthday, so 500 just seemed like an appropriate number to aim for.”

The shoe drive runs from February 4th to the 18th.

Donations can be dropped off at Footloose and Fancy near 70th and Pioneers and Threads near 12th and P streets.

With every pair donated, a child is helped and Miles legacy marches on, one step at a time.

To learn more about Shoes For Miles you can visit their website or their Facebook page.