Shoes for Kids YQL looks to start students on the right foot

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 30, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Shoes for Kids YQL is coming back for their second annual drive to gather as many running shoes as possible for hundreds of southern Alberta children to start their school year on the right foot.
Founding member and spokesperson of Shoes for Kids YQL, Mallory Kristjanson said they are very grateful for the support from the Lethbridge Police Services, Blood Tribe Police and the Piikani Nation RCMP and is thanks to their support that they are able to come back this year.
“Our experience has shown that new shoes allow children to go to school with not only dignity, but build self-esteem and also attendance,” said Kristjanson.
She said they were able to witness first-hand the physical activity that increased for so many children and also the ability to walk to and from school with brand new shoes.
“Gym classes were full of kids smiling because of these brand new shoes and the generous donations from our community. We’re still enthusiastic to keep this momentum going from last year,” said Kristjanson.
She said that through the generosity of the community, they were able to collect nearly 500 pairs of shoes last year and raising over $16,000.
“We are optimistic that we can keep that momentum going because of the love and generosity of the community of Lethbridge, the support from our first responders, family and friends,” said Kristjanson.
She said they are optimistic about being able to collect 500 to 700 pairs of shoes this year for children in Lethbridge, Piikanni Nation, Blood Tribe and the Palliser School Division adding Vulcan to their list this year.
“We had a mom that attended our community event last year and brought her kid’s shoes and they were ripped, and she said she didn’t know what she would’ve been able to do without this initiative,” said Kristjanson.
She said that is why they are here so that if there is a mother, a father, kinship providers, guardians, they come together as a community to ensure that all of those children go to school with a brand-new pair of runners.
The donated shoes will be distributed to grade 1 to grade 12 students in need who are identified through the school system.
“Families and or family school liaison counsellors, anyone within the school district from mental health capacity building team can actually reach out to us directly. The only identifying information that we need is gender and age and shoe size obviously,” said Kristjanson.
Lethbridge Police Service Deputy Chief, Gerald Grobmeier said Youth Engagement Officers see the very real needs of students across the city and know first-hand how a kind word or positive interaction can make a real difference in a child’s life, and receiving a new pair of running shoes can truly set the course for a more successful school year.
“The police service is proud to once again partner with Shoes for Kids YQL foundation, and this year we are pleased to serve as a drop off location for members of the public who would like to donate shoes in advance of the official shoe drive in August,” said Grobmeier.  
He said he is grateful to the LPS staff who stepped up through the inaugural event last year to donate shoes and volunteer their time, helping to collect and sort community donations.
“We are once again collecting donations internally and will be helping out on the official shoe drive on Aug. 27,” said Grobmeier.  
He said this would not be possible without the kindness, generosity and support of Lethbridge citizens, and he wanted to thank everyone who made first year such a success.
“We hope to see you at the Enmax Centre on shoe drive date or welcome you to the police station to drop off a pair of shoes at the front counter any time before then,” said Grobmeier.
This year’s shoe drive is set for Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m at the Enmax Centre parking lot outside the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ Office.
While the official shoe drive drop-off date is some time away, those who would like to donate early can drop off new shoes at Copy Express, Freddy’s Paint and the police station.
Cash donations can also be made at any RBC branch in Lethbridge under the Shoes for Kids YQL account. 

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