TSR's Sole Mates Expands into High Schools
Posted by Jamie Stafford
on Jan 20, 2016
Topeka area kids model their new footwear from TSR's Sole Mates service project.
In December, we announced that Topeka South Rotary’s Sole Mates purchased new shoes and socks for 1,000 kids since the program’s inception in 2012. The club has now served 1,062 kids – and recently expanded to include high school students!
Each experience interacting with the kids one-on-one is unique and heartwarming. One high schooler was having a tough time and felt like his new shoes didn’t fit right even though his feet were measured three times by the Payless ShoeSource staff.
After changing to a bigger size, the student's partner Rotarian approached him. She noticed that the student's old shoes were stretched in every direction and that the canvas was barely holding on. She pointed out that it might be possible that the new shoes weren’t necessarily tight but that they just felt different because they were new.
The student replied, “You know, they actually feel kind of good. I think you’re right, and that they feel weird because they actually fit! I haven’t gotten a new pair of shoes in three years. This is great! They fit great!”
Sole Mates addresses five of Rotary’s six areas of focus:
Thank you to all of the Topeka South Rotarians who financially support Sole Mates and who generously give of their time to help kids pick out new shoes and socks!
After changing to a bigger size, the student's partner Rotarian approached him. She noticed that the student's old shoes were stretched in every direction and that the canvas was barely holding on. She pointed out that it might be possible that the new shoes weren’t necessarily tight but that they just felt different because they were new.
The student replied, “You know, they actually feel kind of good. I think you’re right, and that they feel weird because they actually fit! I haven’t gotten a new pair of shoes in three years. This is great! They fit great!”
Sole Mates addresses five of Rotary’s six areas of focus:
- Peace & Conflict Resolution
- Economic Development
- Disease Prevention
- Child Health
- Basic Education & Literacy
Through distribution of new shoes to children who would not otherwise have access to them, students are alleviated from some of the issues that result from not having “the right things,” avoid illness and disease from shoes that have been passed down, and enjoy more pride and confidence – which allows them to be better students.
Thank you to all of the Topeka South Rotarians who financially support Sole Mates and who generously give of their time to help kids pick out new shoes and socks!
– Jamie Stafford, Sole Mates Coordinator