Sparta Rotary Club Gave Over 100 Students Shoes Through Donation Drive

The Sparta Rotary Club bringing smiles to White County students through its Shoe Donation Drive.

Club Member Cathy Farley said they raise funds with the First Methodist Church to buy and gift new shoes and socks.

“We have volunteers that go out to that school and spend some time one on one with some kids making sure the new shoes fit,” Farley said. “I’m just telling you. There is not smile like a new pair of shoes brings to a kids face.”

Farley said the first giveaways started Friday at Woodland Park and Doyle Elementary Schools. Farley said over 100 students received new footwear.

“Unfortunate, there’s children in our community and every community that do without a lot of basic things,” Farley said. “So, we try very hard to not make them feel any different from anybody else. We buy brand name shoes, and we want them to have something that they are proud of that is just as good as the person sitting in the desk next to them.”

Farley said the other four schools in the district can expect the same generosity as principals and counselors submit lists of students most in need. Farley said often times, people do not realize how many children need a new pair of shoes for school.

“Usually, the school nurse is pulling the children aside to see what size they have on or if they are too small, worn out and they give us a a good estimate of what size is needed,” Farley said.

Farley said this will be the second year the Rotary Club has operated the drive. Farley said fundraising has matched the need each time. Farley said only monetary donations are accepted since specific shoe sizes are involved.