Sole to Soul gives kids shoes — and confidence

BOUQUETS >> To Sole to Soul for supplying 2,000 of pairs of shoes to youngsters during its annual shoe giveaway Oct. 10 at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County Desich Family Campus, 4111 Pearl Ave. in Lorain.

In 2007, Lori Campana and her sister-in-law Laurie Bove established Sole to Soul to distribute shoes to children between the ages of 6 and 18.

To date, Sole to Soul has given out 22,000 pairs of shoes to Lorain County children.

Campana said, “It just gives them so much more confidence walking to school with shoes that fit them that aren’t tattered and torn up.”

The idea for the giveaway, Campana said, came after listening to former NBA player Stephon Marbury on a radio show discussing his new line of discount shoes, the Starbury’s.

Campana said, “He did it so moms and dads didn’t have to break the bank for a new pair of shoes.”

After beginning with the Starbury’s, Soul to Sole handed out pairs of Nike running shoes along with Halloween delicacies.

We commend Campana and Bove for their contributions.

BOUQUETS » To Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Melissa Burke of Avon Lake, who recently was promoted to chief petty officer, an accomplishment that only one in five eligible sailors achieve each year.

Burke, a 1993 graduate of Avon Lake High School, currently is serving with helicopter Maritime Strike 40.

Burke said, “Being selected was so exciting for me and my family. Without the support and mentorship, I would not have chosen the direction that I took. Achieving the title of ‘navy chief’ is a major honor and milestone.”

According to a Navy personnel command media release, there are only 8.5 percent of sailors currently serving at the chief petty officer rank.

Burke said, “Things that have helped me be selected to chief include having a great mentor and family support. Without the help of the Urbin family (her family), I would not be the sailor I am today.”

During the promotion ceremony, the Navy honored the sailors and invited friends and family members to pin on the two gold anchors that adorn the newly appointed chiefs’ uniforms, while the sailor’s sponsor placed the combination cover on their heads.

Burke also thanked her son, Alexander Sthneider, for putting up with her during her rough moments.

She said Sthneider’s hugs and support truly kept her together many nights.

And we congratulate for Burke on her promotion and thank her for her service to our country.

BRICKBATS » To George J. Allford IV, the 36-year-old Elyria man who will spend a year in jail for two counts of gross sexual imposition.

Allford was sentenced Oct. 4 by Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher R. Rothgery. Allford pleaded guilty. Elyria police said the incident took place Oct. 22, 2016, and was reported by the victim’s family.

Allford inappropriately touched the girl, who was younger than the age of 13 at the time of the incident.

As part of the sentence, when Allford is released from jail, he will register as a tierIII sex offender for the rest of his life.

Allford was penalized for what he did to the girl. He should have kept his hands to himself.

One good thing that came from Allford’s admission is it spared the victim from having to testify in court.

BRICKBATS » To Brandel T. Baylock, the 24-year-old Lodi man who was sentenced to three years of community control, with the six months at the Community Based Correctional Facility, on a slew of charges related to a robbery and stabbing.

Baylock pleaded guilty Sept. 6 to two counts of felonious assault and single counts of aggravated robbery and robbery. He received his punishment Oct. 4.

Baylock admitted he attempted to stab and carjack multiple people June 17 in the area of Broad Street and Middle Avenue in Elyria.

Police said he attempted to stab one individual in the stomach, but the victim was able to block the blow and only received a wound to the right arm.

Baylock is very lucky he didn’t kill one of his victims during the incident.

While Baylock is behind bars for six months, hopefully, he’ll reflect on his crimes and learn from his mistakes.

If he continues to live that reckless lifestyle, prison will become his permanent home.

... we congratulate for Burke on her promotion and thank her for her service to our country.