I volunteer for a non-profit organization called Shoes that Fit that helps give American children who are in need new shoes. Down below is my summary on what led to my discovery of Shoes that fit. Here is their website Shoesthatfit.org
I remember the day when I got my first pair of Michael Jordan basketball shoes. I went out into my yard and started to slam dunk on my mini hoop like I was Michael Jordan. The happiness and joy the shoes brought me was an unforgettable memory of my childhood. I wore those shoes to school the next day proudly and was so excited to show all my friends. Sadly, some kids in the United States may never get their chance to have their first pair of sneakers and to show them to all their friends at school. 1 out of 7 children in the United States lives in poverty. I was driving past an elementary school one day, and I noticed a line of kids about to cross the street. I stopped, and as I waited, I noticed some of the kids in the line had brand new shoes and some had on old shoes. The thought came racing back to the time I got my first Jordans and how proud I was to wear them at school, then I thought of the kids who were wearing the older, run-down shoes. I thought to myself, what is a way I could help try to get children in America who are struggling for shoes a fresh pair of sports shoes and to let them feel the joy and excitement you get when you get new shoes? That’s when I went and searched if there was a charity that donated new shoes to children in need. I found my answer; I came across a charity called Shoes That Fit. After further research, I realized I came across exactly what I was looking for and signed up to be a volunteer for Shoes That Fit. Shoes That Fit is a nonprofit organization focused on addressing a visible sign of poverty in the U.S. by providing new athletic shoes to children who need them. Founded in 1992, the organization has distributed over 3 million pairs of shoes to children across the country. In the current year alone, they have helped over 180,000 children in 1,932 communities nationwide. Receiving a new pair of shoes goes beyond providing basic footwear; it helps boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Studies have shown that after receiving new shoes, children experience improved school attendance, behavior, and physical activity. Additionally, 91% of schools report an increase in self-esteem, 96% notice greater confidence, and 86% observe stronger social interaction among students. Through partnerships with businesses, volunteers, and donors, Shoes That Fit ensures that every child in need has the opportunity to start school with the dignity and joy of new shoes, enabling them to thrive academically and socially. Every child deserves a shoe that fits and helps them be their best self. Shoes that fit have partnered with some of the biggest companies and brands in the world. Examples of some of their partners are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mercedes-Benz, and the San Antonio Spurs. Donate to shoesthatfit.org to help a child get correctly fitted for shoes.
