Christmas Shoes for Kids
Donation protected
Four years ago we started the Christmas Shoes Program. After many years of supporting programs such as Adopt-A-Family and Angel Tree, we were inspired to do more! We see children daily wearing shoes that are worn and dirty, or shoes that no longer fit, and some children don't have any shoes at all. It is for this reason that we decided to focus our efforts on shoes for children at Christmas and we began by approaching friends and family for donations.
The first two years we were able to provide shoes for 175 kids (each time). Last year we expanded our efforts and reached out to businesses and companies. Thanks to people's extreme generosity we had enough funds to buy shoes for 350 kids!
Our goal this year is for 500 kids to receive at least 1 pair of new shoes the Friday before Christmas. Each year we team up with Tabernacle of Higher Learning Christan Center to give vouchers for shoes to parents since they are already there for the church's holiday food basket giveaway. That same evening, from 5-8PM, we meet the parents and their kids at Walmart where they can redeem the voucher.
Last year each voucher was worth $20.00 in shoes, but I would like to raise that to $25.00. Prices at Walmart allow for one or more pairs to be purchased per child. Many of the children we have served make comments--most in disbelief--about receiving free shoes. We hear stories about how their shoes don't fit because they are hand me downs from a sibling, or how old their shoes are because the family cannot afford new ones. We witness parents and grandparents cry, and volunteers are extremely humbled as we watch children pick out new shoes and then walk with them to the front of the store with smiles on their faces.
Please help us reach our goal this year to provide shoes for 500 kids ($25.00 each child). Let's make Christmas special for the children in our community! A donation of any amount is a blessing! We also welcome volunteers to join us at Walmart to experience the spirit of Christmas!
Blessings,
Vince Bower
The first two years we were able to provide shoes for 175 kids (each time). Last year we expanded our efforts and reached out to businesses and companies. Thanks to people's extreme generosity we had enough funds to buy shoes for 350 kids!
Our goal this year is for 500 kids to receive at least 1 pair of new shoes the Friday before Christmas. Each year we team up with Tabernacle of Higher Learning Christan Center to give vouchers for shoes to parents since they are already there for the church's holiday food basket giveaway. That same evening, from 5-8PM, we meet the parents and their kids at Walmart where they can redeem the voucher.
Last year each voucher was worth $20.00 in shoes, but I would like to raise that to $25.00. Prices at Walmart allow for one or more pairs to be purchased per child. Many of the children we have served make comments--most in disbelief--about receiving free shoes. We hear stories about how their shoes don't fit because they are hand me downs from a sibling, or how old their shoes are because the family cannot afford new ones. We witness parents and grandparents cry, and volunteers are extremely humbled as we watch children pick out new shoes and then walk with them to the front of the store with smiles on their faces.
Please help us reach our goal this year to provide shoes for 500 kids ($25.00 each child). Let's make Christmas special for the children in our community! A donation of any amount is a blessing! We also welcome volunteers to join us at Walmart to experience the spirit of Christmas!
Blessings,
Vince Bower
Organizer
Vince Bower
Organizer
Bradenton, FL