BELL COUNTY, Texas — 6 News is excited to announce we are partnering up with Communities In Schools (CIS) of Greater Central Texas as they kick off their annual Shoes 4 Kids Drive.
This is year 17 for the community to come together and take a small step toward making a big impact for local students.
Michael Dewees has been with CIS of Greater Central Texas for 23 years, and for the last 17, he and his team have been working on getting students started on the right foot.
"You'd be surprised how many kids come to school with shoes that are too small, shoes that are dilapidated, falling apart, their soles are barely hanging on, holes in their shoes," Dewees explained. "That's big on self esteem. Of course, they're gonna be focused on hiding their shoes, hiding their feet because of what other students might be thinking of them and when that happens, focus on academics is far back on the list."
Through the organization's annual Shoes 4 Kids Drive, a brand new pair of shoes is able to make a world of difference for local students.
"The shoe drive is a small piece of our overall program, but it's a very vital piece," Dewees said. "If we could handle getting new shoes to kids who need them, we are convinced and the past has shown that they can focus more on academics and their school."
Dewees said shoes are a year-round need and the goal is to be able to have enough donations to serve the 6,000 students in the program at any given time.
"We'll have kids that need shoes tomorrow, we have kids that need shoes yesterday and then of course we understand that three months from now, we'll have kids that need shoes," Dewees said. "Then we'll have a nice stockpile due to the generous donations of the community."
It's a goal that is accomplished year after year solely thanks to the community.
"Rest assured that putting these brand new shoes on the feet of kids will ultimately make them successful and that's what we all want," Dewees said. "We want a successful community now and well into the future. I just appreciate the community for participating and having the heart to help these kids as well. We could not do it without the community and the donations of shoes and we thank you."
The annual Shoes 4 Kids Drive kicks off Nov. 15 and runs through Dec. 15. CIS is looking for sizes between toddler 12 and adult 14. Socks are also welcome.
6 News hopes to see you at our in-person drop off location at the Fort Hood Area Association of Realtors on Nov. 20.
For more information on how or where to donate, click here.