East Texas

By MAEGAN MCGOWEN
Feature Writer

Imagine not being able to buy a new pair of shoes to wear on the first day of school.

For many East Texas children, it's a reality.

To address this need in the community, Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church started Feet First for Kids, a charity that buys new shoes for children in need.

"We tried to target families who needed shoes and probably wouldn't be able to buy them," Candi Turney, the organization's chairperson, said. "Getting new shoes for school is such a self-esteem boost."

Ms. Turney worked for the last three years with the charity, and decided this was the year to take the reins.

"This year I wanted to step up and organize the whole thing," she said. "I was aided by Wendy Stelle and Kasey Quezada, who were great helps."

The charity began as the inspiration of Holly Primrose, the president of the MOMs club at Lanes Chapel UMC.

"MOMs stands for Mothers on a Mission," Ms. Turney said. "Our president came up with the idea to find kids through the school districts that needed shoes. Counselors and the school district's Head Start programs let us know which children needed them."

The program was started in 2005, and through donations and volunteer work, over 300 pairs of shoes were given the first year.

"The children love getting the shoes," Ms. Turney said. "We almost always get a positive reaction. It's always surprising when they get the shoes they would have picked out themselves."

Last year, over 1,000 pairs were given and the ministry received over $13,000 in donations.

The goal for 2008 was the highest of all.

"Our original goal was 1,000 pairs of shoes," she said. "Our pastor told us he thought we should shoot a little higher, so we said 1,500. Right now, we're at 1,330 pairs and we're still waiting, so I think we will definitely hit 1,500."

To receive shoes, families called in during the week of July 7-11, and listed the size shoes they needed and how many pairs.

"Over 400 families called in, and we're still not through," Ms. Turney said. "I think the total will be close to 500 families."

These orders were then called in by volunteers, who purchased the shoes at local shoe stores.

"Volunteers went out and purchased tennis shoes," she said. "We wanted to buy the kind of shoes that schools would allow, and something that was nice-looking and could be worn all year round."

The charity tries to provide shoes for the school-aged children first and the younger children second.

"This year, we were lucky enough to have shoes for everyone," Ms. Turney said. "Because of recent economics, we have more people than ever that need shoes for their children, and donations are appreciated all year long."

Families who requested shoes picked them up at the Lanes Chapel Back to School Bash on Saturday.

"We're going to have five different inflatables at the event," Ms. Turney said. "We'll have to have different games and activities the children can play, and instead of giving prizes like candy, we'll give out school supplies. We have notebooks, markers, pens, glue and everything else they'll need for back to school."

According to Turney, the need for shoes goes far beyond the beginning of the school year.

"It's really common for children not to have shoes to go to school," Ms. Turney said. "But we also get phone calls all throughout the year saying that kids need shoes. During Hurricane Katrina, we had tons of calls for clothes and food. They knew they could come to us and we could help."

For Ms. Turney personally, her work with the charity means more than she can describe.

"The most important thing to me is the smiles on the kid's faces when they open up the shoes and know that God is providing for them so they can have a good, safe school year," she said.

The ministry has high hopes for 2009, and will be shooting for close to 2,000 shoes, said Ms. Turney.

Feet First for Kids was not without help from members of the community who pitched in and gave up their time for the charity.

"I want to thank Karen, the shoe department manager at Wal-Mart on Highway 110, as well as Mona, the shoe department manager at the Wal-Mart on U.S. Highway 69 South," Ms. Turney said. "They helped us pull so many shoes so they would be ready to go. I also want to thank Alan Wells at AT&T on South Broadway for supplying the phone services during the call in week."

To donate to the ministry, mail payments to Lanes Chapel UMC; 15475 FM 2493; Tyler, Texas, 75703, and include FFFK in the memo section of the check, or to use a credit card, call 903-561-5703.

For families with children in need of shoes, contact a school counselor, a Head Start program or Lanes Chapel UMC at 903-561-5703.

Volunteers at the Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church "Feet First for Kids" shoe giveaway Saturday morning check the sign-up sheet for sizes of shoes needed.
(Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)