Sneakers put smiles on young students’ faces
There were plenty of smiles at The Hope Centre in Welland Wednesday as children picked up brand new shoes, socks and a bag full of snacks.
It was Snacks n’ Sneakers Day, a program that sees school-age children — four to 18 years old — provided a new pair of running shoes, along with socks and snacks.
The snacks were collected more than a week ago when First Student and Zehrs Welland teamed up to hold the second Fill The Bus Food Drive for the Hope Centre.
Tracey Masanzu, Hope Centre’s finance manager, said volunteers from Canadian Tire Financial Services (CTFS) came in last week to bag up the snacks.
Wednesday, she said, saw more CTFS volunteers help children find a good-fitting pair of shoes.
“The shoes all came through the Canadian Tire Jump Start program … the Hope Centre didn’t buy any,” said Masanzu.
Funds for the shoes came through CTFS Jumpstart for Kids, which raised $10,000 to buy 1,300 pairs of running shoes for community agencies across Niagara — including Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, Project Share, Port Cares and Community Care of West Niagara.
“The socks came from the Kacey Lynn Fund,” said Masanzu.
With 285 pairs of shoes donated this year, and 15 left over from last year’s event, there was plenty to go around for those in need in the community.
“We’re hoping to get around
280 to 285 children here … it would be amazing if we could give them all away. Look at the children here and look at the smiles on their faces.”
Masanzu said a brand new pair of shoes just in time for the start of school levels the playing field for everyone and helps children with their self-esteem.
“They want to go to school.” She said the smiles and shoes wouldn’t be possible without the support of CTFS and Jumpstart.
“We’re truly grateful … because of our great community partners, we are able to offer the services we have,” she said.