Selena Hernandez opens her new sneakers at Shoes for School last Saturday.
Every year, right before school starts, hundreds of volunteers converge on Caswell Park in East Knoxville to distribute more than 1,000 pairs of new sneakers to children who have been pre-selected by local social service organizations to receive them.
The shoes are paid for by donations from the public in a program called Shoes for School which is a joint project of the Knoxville Area Urban League and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. This past Saturday marked the 10th year for this heart-warming event.
Although new shoes are the central point of the morning gathering, there is much more to it. Children are invited to visit dozens of booths set up by area businesses and organizations to distribute school supplies, a wide variety of huge inflatables fill the park, there are games of every description, a disc jockey plays music ranging from country to hip-hop, and the Urban League Young Professionals cook hotdogs and pass out chips, popcorn and drinks. It is, in short, a festival built around a good cause.
“Whenever someone gets involved in Shoes for School, whether as a volunteer or a financial supporter, they never say no to us the following year,” said Phyllis Nichols, president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League. “It is a very rewarding experience.”
Here are a few photos from this past Saturday.
Tim Romero of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, at left, prepares to open Shoes for Schools with a balloon release. In the center is Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Phyllis Nichols and City Councilman Dan Brown.
Here's a better view of Tim. He serves on the Urban League's board, as do I.
Another board member, Drew Starke of Nissan, chats with Phyllis.
Although there were a lot of lines to stand in, everyone was in a great mood.
More than 1,000 children were given shoes and more than 1,500 received school supplies.
Jacob Nathaniel Drinnon tries his hand at the beanbag toss.
Lelsye Hartsell, a friend of mine who works at KUB, was giving away popcorn at a booth staffed by members of her church, Freedom Fellowship Christian Church.
Maliyna Tate tries a ball bouncing game.
Phyllis Nichols gives an interview to Mike Blackerby of the News Sentinel.
Wokie Massaquoi-Wicks greets City Councilman and former Knoxville Mayor Dan Brown.
Urban League Board member Rosa Mar distributing notebooks.
Board member Rita Geier helping out.
Presley Ford, for the third year in a row, helped distribute books as part of the Urban League's Read and Rise program.
Volunteer Harold Hicks helped with that task, as well.
Crystal Lewis and other folks from Sysco were giving away fruit.
Erica Moore helped her colleagues from U.S. Cellular give away bags of school supplies.
Henry Morgan, whose father works at Scripps Networks Interactive, worked in that company's booth.
Jayden Norries, left, and Asia Looney took advantage of the cotton candy being handed out in the food area.
Urban League Young Professionals Tyler Jordan and Lydia McCoy minded the hot dog grill.
Malaina Leffall was eager to open up her new shoes.
"These are so cool!" exclaimed Chase Smith when he saw his.
Katie Smith got some pretty plaid shoes. She loved them.
The slide was popular.
So was the football toss.
Kim Woods of Home Federal Bank stayed busy passing out supplies.
I think everyone liked the t-shirts designed by Moxley Carmichael graphic designer Erica Beck.
Thanks to WBIR-TV for covering this sweet event. Click here to see their report.
Click here for reporter Mike Blackerby’s story in the News Sentinel.
Thanks Cynthia. The Urban League helps over 8,000 individuals and families each year, but there is nothing we do that brings such satisfaction as seeing the joy on a child’s face. Knoxville cares!
Phyllis: I am so proud to be part of the Urban League movement. Thanks for having me!
Nice to see Mayor Brown at the event. Presley Ford is a super volunteer.
Agree on both those points!
Great program!
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