Community steps up with new shoes for elementary students
Thanks to the generosity of First Presbyterian Church in Monroe and JCPenney , about 100 students from Walter Bickett and East elementary schools will be stepping out in style over the holidays .
“ I got my wish ,” said a Walter Bickett second grader . “ I wished for high heels and pink Converse . I got the Converse tennis shoes . I wanted pink because it makes me happy . It ’ s fun to get new shoes .”
“ My shoes glow ,” said a first grader . “ They took my other shoes and put them in the box and gave me these Elsa shoes . I love them !”
The church ’ s Witness and Service Committee gifted about $ 4,000 worth of tennis shoes on Tuesday , Dec . 6 , and Wednesday , Dec . 7 , to about 100 children from Walter Bickett and East elementary schools respectively , continuing a nine-year tradition .
Committee co-chairperson Joanne Kitchin said the annual event partners with JCPenney , Chick-fil-A and the Monroe Mall to bring smiles and new tennis shoes to students whose families are struggling financially . “ We are reaching into our community to see if we can help ,” Kitchin said . “ Children are our priority . We feel this is a great need . We would love to be able to help other schools , but we can only do two schools right now .”
Candice Strickland , a JCPenney sales associate , helps a Walter Bickett Elementary School student try on a new pair of tennis shoes .
School counselors identified financially disadvantaged students who were then measured for shoes by JCPenney associates who came to the school about a month before the big event .
When the big day arrived , students traveled to the mall on a school activity bus and were greeted by Rudolph the Reindeer . They were then able to choose one of two pairs of tennis shoes , and were given two pairs of socks donated by the store .
“ My shoes are broken and raggedy ,” said another first grader . “ I liked the sparkly shoes but I ’ m getting the pink Converse because now when I ’ m in the gym , I can fun faster .”
Once students got their shoes , they were given breakfast from Chick-fil-A , and then had an opportunity to talk with Santa , complete with a complimentary photo taken with him .
“ It ’ s amazing to see the faces of these kids just light up ,” said Walter Bickett Elementary counselor Barbara Aligwekwe . “ They look forward to this every year . They will ask , ‘ Are we going to the JCPenney shoes day ? Are you picking me ?’ It ’ s awesome . God bless the First Presbyterian Church for making this happen . I get goosebumps each time they do this .” — This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communications Office .
HERITAGE - ACTIVITIES - WELL-BEING
Buzzing with creative and performing arts , vibrant music , urban shops and restaurants surrounded by a natural backdrop of rolling hills , horse country , fishing ponds and outdoor recreation , Waxhaw is rich in Heritage , busting with Activities and offers a sense of Well-being for all who live , work or play here .
Come visit Waxhaw and discover that “ life happens in the H . A . W .” www . waxhaw . com
/ TownofWaxhawNC / TownWaxhaw @ TownofWaxhaw
Parent Teacher Magazine • Jan / Feb 2017 • 7