Teen puts her words into action

She shares her love of shoes by donating them to deserving students.

Shoes of all different sizes, styles and colors lined the Inlet Grove Community High School auditorium stage.

In front of more than 70 students, Kendall Greenberg asked a simple question: “Can you please raise your hand if you love shoes?”

And pretty much every Who doesn’t love shoes?

Greenberg is a 16-year-old St. Andrews High School student with a closet full of shoes. For the holiday season, Greenberg decided to share her love of footwear with deserving students.

“I wanted to do something that would be meaningful to me,” she said. “I thought that everyone could use a pair of shoes, because you can never have too many.”

Greenberg started her project, called Good Soles for Good Souls, by donating five pairs of her own shoes. Up to now, she has already donated about 140 shoes to high school students who need — and deserve — them.

Greenberg started her mission by asking local stores to donate shoes. She then sent a letter to high school principals and asked them to pick students who needed shoes.

hand went

up. The students selected needed to demonstrate, “strong academic performance, good character or other noteworthy achievements.”

At Inlet Grove Community High School, Greenberg donated around 100 pairs of shoes. The shoes ranged from brands such as Steve Madden to Converse.

“Some of them probably can’t afford new shoes, so it was a blessing,” Inlet Grove parent liaison and Key Club adviser Clotee Banks said.

Greenberg works with almost no help. She spends from September through December preparing her project. Since last year, she has increased her donations from 40 to 100 pairs of shoes.

“The shoes are awesome,” she said. look at them and I want to take them.”

Last year, Greenberg donated gently used shoes to high schools in Broward County.

“I She was able to donate more through her efforts this year.

“I think all kids deserve to have something to be excited about, especially during the holiday time,” she said.

Ivy Greenberg said her daughter didn’t need community service hours, she just wanted to do something nice for other people.

“She is giving to people who are her peers and that’s a pretty interesting dynamic,” Ivy Greenberg said.

Greenberg has even received cash to put toward purchasing shoes for her project. Trademark Metals Recycling LLC donated $300 and she used that money to purchase additional shoes for boys.

“She genuinely cares about doing this for the kids,” said Jeff Morse, the corporation’s purchasing representative. “That’s why we are going to continue to support her.”

Greenberg currently has 30 shoes left over, and she plans to donate them to a local organization. She hopes to keep working on Good Soles for Good Souls for the long term.

In her letters to principals, she uses this quote: “You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.”

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