Beautiful Shoes for Kids at Christmas

Shoes for Christmas
200 children from Boys & Girls Clubs get new pair from Payless
JOY JUEDES, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/21/2010 10:08:09 PM PST

Volunteer Tonia Vento helps Juan Mendez try on shoes at Payless ShoeSource in Redlands on Tuesday. (JOY JUEDES/Redlands Daily Facts)

REDLANDS - About 200 children and teenagers from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands bought new shoes at Payless ShoeSource this week.

Payless donated 200 $15 vouchers to the organization, and parents and a bus took the children to the store Tuesday morning before it opened. Volunteers helped each child and teenager pick out a pair while parents waited, some standing in the rain outside.

"We try to help them stay in the price range," said volunteer Diana McLaughlin. "The little kids really need fitting."

McLaughlin and her husband Dave enlisted members of her Bunco group to volunteer. They and others helped younger children try on shoes and find sizes. Volunteer Barbara Krause checked each box for one left shoe and one right.

"In large families, lower income, the little kids get hand-me-downs," said Boys & Girls Clubs CEO P.T. McEwen. "This is a chance for them to start out the new year on the right foot."

The organization received the vouchers through Payless Gives, the company's annual nationwide giving program. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands distributed the coupons to children of families on its client list, according to McEwen.

"I think it's great," said Donee Mills, whose daughters Destiny Berner, 6, and Justina Mills, 7, each got a pair of shoes.

"Especially this time of year with people not being able to work," said the girls' grandmother, DeLora Mills.Payless district manager

Jim Jacobs said the store stocked a lot of popular styles.

"They did a good job this year stocking boots for little girls," he said. "And character shoes, like Disney and stuff, are really popular with children."

He said store staff works with Boys & Girls Clubs staff and volunteers.

"They just really make this work," he said. "And the patience (the families) have waiting in the rain, we really appreciate it."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands also received a $5,000 grant from Collective Brands, the parent company of Payless, for the Triple Play program. The program challenges Boys & Girls Club members to become healthy and active by learning new ways to eat well, manage stress, exercise and form positive relationships with peers, according to McEwen.

MY THOUGHTS

CSR.  corporate social responsibility.  i hope a lot of companies pick up on this fad.  for years, i've worked with institutions helping the less priveleged.  this is nothing new to us.  but profit-oriented companies trying to share what they earn to the needy is a much-needed and welcome development.  i like this idea of giving shoes.  it's a big deal for kids.  especially on christmas.