Fundraiser gives shoes to children in need

Apr. 15—GRANITE FALLS — Proper footwear helps young children protect their feet from injury, heat, or cold. Not having decent shoes can lead to problems at school or at home.

One organization in Granite Falls is dedicated to providing good quality footwear, as well as other essential items, to young children all across the county.

The Hearts and Soles 4 Kids nonprofit organization buys brand new shoes and socks for all the elementary and middle schools in Caldwell County.

"We have seen such a need," said Betty Kimberlin, president of Hearts and Soles 4 Kids. "In this day and age, and this is America. It just blows my mind."

On Saturday, April 30, starting at 9 a.m., Hearts and Soles 4 Kids will be set up in front of the new shoe store in Granite Falls, Shoe Sensation, to bring awareness to this need. Shoe Sensation has agreed to donate 10% of all of their proceeds that day to Hearts and Soles 4 Kids to help more children.

Shoe Sensation is located at 159 River Bend Dr., in the Shoppes at Rivercrest shopping center.

An angel tree is posted right now at the front counter in Shoe Sensation, adorned with red paper hearts with shoe sizes written on each one. Anyone who buys a pair of shoes for a child can leave a small message of affirmation on the heart, and that heart will be tied to the shoes.

Additionally, there will be food trucks on Saturday, April 30, providing a variety of foods such as barbecue, waffle cones, coffee drinks, and more. The food truck vendors have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to Hearts and Soles 4 Kids, as well.

Kimberlin said she was inspired to start Hearts and Soles 4 Kids about four years ago, when she was at Baton Elementary in Granite Falls to have lunch with her grandson. While she was waiting in the office, a little girl came in and asked the secretary to fix her flip-flops. The secretary said the shoes couldn't be fixed and asked the little girl if there was anybody at home who could bring her a new pair. The little girl told her that she didn't have any other shoes. The secretary found a used pair for the girl to wear.

Kimberlin asked the secretary if this was a problem in the schools, and the secretary said indeed it was.

"And that bothered me so much, to think a child didn't have a decent pair of shoes," Kimberlin said. "I said to the secretary, 'You're not gonna have this issue next year. I've got all summer to work on this, I'm bringing you a tub of brand new shoes and socks.' "

Kimberlin approached her fellow church-goers about this problem, and before long, people started giving her money, which helped establish the Hearts and Soles 4 Kids program.

Kimberlin hopes to continue expanding Hearts and Soles 4 Kids to encompass the high schools, as well. She has also contacted organizations such as Exela Pharma Sciences, who have arranged a shoe drive next month. All of their employees have been asked to bring in a new pair of shoes to be donated to Hearts and Soles 4 Kids. Greer Labs is also coming aboard to help.

For individuals interested in volunteering with or donating to Hearts and Soles 4 Kids, Kimberlin suggested that people can offer their time to help the schools with their clothes closets. Another option is to buy a new pair of shoes and take them to any of the schools in the county.

"The other things they need are underwear for preschool and kindergarten kids," said Kimberlin. "Every time I deliver shoes, I put a pack of them in there. I'm sure they'd appreciate it. It's not just pencils and paper and crayons, there's other needs out there."

Hearts and Soles 4 Kids has a post office box address where people can also send checks: P.O. Box 1083, Lenoir, NC 28645.

"I have to give a shout-out to The Clothesline in Hudson," said Kimberlin. "She lets me purchase everything half price. Huffman Hosiery has given me their socks half price, another benefit that has helped us do this project. We've been blessed."

For more information on how to get involved or make a donation, please visit Hearts and Soles 4 Kids on Facebook, send an email to heartsandsoles4kids@yahoo.com, or call Betty Kimberlin at 828-266-8024.