For the 24th consecutive year the faith-based group held a shoe drive which helped hundreds of the county schools’ more underpriveleged children receive a brand new pair of shoes for Christmas.
The program works like this - 100 percent of money raised in community donations goes toward purchasing vouchers at two local department stores, J.C. Penney and The Shoe Department, for children who are identified by school faculty from area elementary schools.
“New Shoes for Christmas” Coordinator and Pairs and Spares class member Charles White explained the last of the 800 children had been fitted with their new shoes around mid-day Friday.
“Because of your efforts, 800 children are wearing new shoes this year,” the class wrote in a statement. “We extend thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, and especially the Daily Journal for their support. It goes without saying that we also appreciate very much the participation of J.C. Penney and The Shoe Department.”
Pairs and Spares member Charles White coordinates the annual effort.
“The people of this county have been very, very generous,” White said Monday. “They’ve been generous, even in tough times.”
White pointed out the cooperation of the two area department stores.
“(J.C. Penney Manager Terry) Greene was with the children Friday sitting in the floor with them because only four could go to the fitting chairs at a time,” White recalled. “They were singing Christams carols, and having a good time.”
The Shoe Department Store Manager Harriet Wallace explained many of the children who come in to get their new shoes don’t even have socks on, so her company gives each child a pair of socks in addition to their shoes.
“We really don’t do anything special, we just spend time with them, measure their feet and let them pick out their shoes,” Wallace explained.
She said this year’s group was very well-behaved, and “everyone that got shoes was really appreciative,” but there is one group in particular her store associates look forward to seeing each year.
“The children from Robedel Children’s Center,” she said. “They are just so special, and they’re thrilled with anything you give them. It gives you a warm feeling to see their little faces as they leave here saying, ‘Look at my new shoes! Look at my new shoes!’”
Richmond County Chamber of Commerce President Emily Tucker said the chamber seeks to support the group’s effort year-after-year by sending a notification of the cause out to its membership.
“We try to support that because it’s something that is great for people in the community to get involved with,” Tucker said. “It’s just one of those worthwhile causes, and you really don’t know what it is to go without until you’ve seen children who go without.”
She said she has worked in retail herself, and remembers the children coming in to get their new pairs of shoes.
“To see the looks on their faces, it’s just a heart-warming experience,” Tucker said.
“Once again, we’re just having a lot of fun helping these kids, fitting their feet so they get the right size,” Greene said as an elementary school class tried on shoes at Penney’s last week. “It’s just a blessing the Sunday School class at First Presbyterian is willing to do this, and we’re fortunate to be a part of it.”
Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.
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