American Water Charitable Foundation Awards $2,500 Grant to Help Clinton Students Put Their Best Foot Forward
Credit Union Kicks provides properly fitted shoes and socks with support from the Foundation and Iowa American Water volunteers
CLINTON, Iowa, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A $2,500 State Strategic Impact grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation is helping Credit Union Kicks provide local elementary students with properly fitted tennis shoes and packages of socks so they can come to school comfortable, confident and ready to learn. The Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), and Iowa American Water announced the award to the 1st Gateway Credit Union Foundation.
Credit Union Kicks launched in October 2025 with a shoe drop at Camanche Elementary School and expanded in 2026 to serve every elementary student in the Clinton Community School District. During student fittings, organizers saw children arriving without socks, wearing adult-sized socks or wearing shoes two to three sizes too large—underscoring the need for properly fitted footwear. With its Oct. 28 shoe drop, the program had provided a total of 2,423 pairs of shoes and 9,580 pairs of socks to students at eight local elementary schools.
Iowa American Water's Clinton team volunteered at the Credit Union Kicks shoe distribution at Eagle Heights Elementary School on Oct. 21, helping unload, sort and distribute shoes to students during school assemblies.
"Every child deserves a pair of shoes that fits properly, and this program helps make that possible. The American Water Charitable Foundation has supported this mission through its generous grant and many thanks to Iowa American Water for sending team members to volunteer at our shoe drops. Their hands-on involvement gives us more time to work one-on-one with each child, helping them try on shoes and ensuring they have the right fit. Seeing the children's smiles and knowing they leave with shoes they can comfortably wear is what makes this program so meaningful. We are grateful for Iowa American Water's commitment to our community and for helping us reach more children, one pair of shoes at a time," said Angela Izer, chief operations officer of 1st Gateway Credit Union.
"Providing children with the essentials they need to learn, grow and feel confident helps build strong communities," said Brad Nielsen, president of Iowa American Water. "We are proud that this partnership pairs a $2,500 grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation with hands-on support from our Clinton employees to help local students put their best foot forward."
The grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's 2026 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. Through State Strategic Impact grants, the Foundation supports high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water's national footprint.
"The American Water Charitable Foundation is pleased to partner with organizations that are making a meaningful difference for people and communities across Iowa," said Carrie Williams, president of the American Water Charitable Foundation.
Learn more about Iowa American Water's community impact at iowaamwater.com.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com.
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
About Iowa American Water
Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 90 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 225,000 people.
SOURCE American Water
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