Holy Savior students get new kicks
Holy Savior student Emily Rosas receives her pair of new shoes from Genesis employees. Shoe sizes were obtained several weeks ago. (Advance photos)
Genesis Foundation donates shoes and socks to all of the students
Instead of walking out of the library with a new book on Thursday, Oct. 10, the 212 students attending Holy Savior Catholic Academy last week walked out with new socks and shoes.
DeAnn White, executive director of the Genesis Foundation for Fitness and Tennis, watched with a huge smile as each group of students filed into the room. Genesis representatives handed them a plastic bag with two pairs of socks and the boys and girls were directed to the back of the room to pick up their new athletic shoes.
Tables were stacked with red shoeboxes labeled with a student’s name. Nearby, several other Genesis employees were sitting in front of an empty chair ready to assist the boys and girls with their new footwear.
White said the foundation was formed in 2006 as a way to give back to the community and to focus on children’s fitness.
Genesis employees assisted the children with their new shoes.
“In the past, they have provided grants for children who can’t afford physical fitness equipment. Now we’re changing our scope a little and we’re going to provide not only grants for the children but also new socks and shoes. In addition to that, we’re going to focus on mentoring and tutoring.”
Delia Shropshire, president of the school, said she, too, was thrilled about her students’ reactions.
“It’s so exciting to see the children’s faces when they receive their tennis shoes, to see them, loving school and loving this opportunity,” she said. “And we look forward to seeing them come back each day, excited to learn and showing off their new footwear.”
The students were the most excited. After each group of students received their footwear, they hopped and danced their way out of the library.
The socks were donated by Bombas. In addition to Holy Savior, students at L’Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet Elementary School and the Samuel E. Spaght Science & Communications Magnet received socks and shoes.
In a press release Rodney Steven, chairman of the board, said “The need for new shoes in the schools is great, one little girl’s shoes were two sizes too small. She struggled to even take her shoes off just to get measured. It’s tough to concentrate on learning or even just play with other kids at recess. It breaks the heart, but we founded GFFT to help make a difference in situations like this.”