Shoes for Kids: Church, community give kids jump start to school year

Rockwall, TX (August 15, 2024) – In 2013, Ron Dick volunteered at First United Methodist Church Rockwall’s annual back-to-school event, Shoes for Kids, and walked away from that experience moved by the smiles on the faces of the children.

“Seeing those smiles made all the difference” says Ron. “My wife, Linda, and I were so impressed by the event and touched watching the faces of the kids picking out a new pair of shoes.”

Now serving as co-chairs, Ron and Linda have seen the event grow exponentially since they began to partner with Helping Hands in 2021.

Previously, both the church and Helping Hands held two separate but wonderful events. Joining forces, making the back-to-school events more convenient for clients, also brought added resources.Last year, the event put over $100k back into the community. This year, Shoes for Kids 2024, the 20^th Anniversary, was larger than ever! Distributing 1739 pairs of shoes – a 16.6% increase over 2023 and almost twice the number they passed out just four years ago. But in addition to shoes, recipients also received socks, backpacks, school supplies, ear buds or headphones, hygiene supplies, books, and even needed immunizations.

Even more resources than ever before were available onsite. Texas Health Resources provided mobile mammography services for the parent or guardian of the students. Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas and Greenville Workforce Center enrolled clients in various job training programs. The North Texas Food Bank enrolled clients in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, and other programs.

Mike Conway of Conway CPAs has supported Shoes for Kids through donations and service for the past five years and his passion for the event is evident. “It is extremely rewarding to be involved. I have always worked the check-out process, so I get the honor of seeing the students after they come through. They are so proud to show off their new shoes, backpack, and the many other items they receive. And at that age starting school with those things helps them fit in.”Volunteers are a large part of the success of the program – and when you have 300 families coming through each hour it takes many hands! Shepherds help escort families through the process and each station. Assistants work in every area from shoe selection to dental health. Mike says, “I believe the volunteers enjoy it as much as the kids do. I love recruiting people for this event!”Each year, local organizations come out to volunteer their time in service. Rockwall Rotary is one whose members sign up quickly to participate for the same reasons that Ron and Mike experienced themselves.Since 2005, Shoes for Kids has given out over 18,500 new pairs of shoes to Rockwall County students in need. The program is important to these local families and helps provide their children with a jump start to the new school year. The program is also careful to secure family privacy so no one outside the program would know who is involved or receiving donations. It is a commendable policy, helping students retain dignity while receiving much needed support and a sense of pride as they start a new school year.

By Melanie Mayfield. Photos by Amy Moore.

  Blue Ribbon News, feature, featured, first united methodist church rockwall, Helping Hands, Rockwall County, Rockwall ISD, Royse City ISD, Shoes for Kids