NFMCA shoe giveaway a success
After the North Fort Myers Civic Association was able to donate nearly two dozen pairs of shoes to back-to-school students last year, the goal for the following year was to give away more.
And thanks to the generosity of local sponsors, the organization was able to nearly triple the total this time around.
At the NFMCA monthly meeting Tuesday at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center, the equivalent of 57 pairs of shoes were given to area youths so the kids could start the school year on the right foot.
This still left a few more shoes to be given away, which the organization will do on a quieter basis.
NFMCA president Toni Hill said sign-ups started slow and she started to worry before things picked up in the last week.
“Up until last week we only had about 12 kids. But we pulled it out and ended up with 57 children and enough money to buy 67 gift cards. We can always pass those out to people who need it,” Hill said. “We didn’t reach the 200 I wanted, but there’s always next year.”
The parents need only to sign up for the shoes, regardless of family income, and have children of school age. They received a $50 gift card from Sketchers and a discount coupon which could net each child two pairs of shoes if they shopped right.
One of the mothers, Erica, got gift cards for two of her daughters. She said it was a good way to start off the school year.
“It’s nice to start with a new pair of shoes. It’s nice to have an opportunity to do that,” she said. “Hopefully, we can get a buy-one, get-one for half off and get them another pair.”
Hill said he was happy the kids were able to get new shoes. What she got from this was something even better.
“For me it was the last young man. The smile on his face said it all. He had been thinking of picking out a new pair ever since he found out. He is why I do this,” Hill said. “I got to see every smile from every kid and every parent. And I got to give them a good feeling from some caring residents and businesses.”
For any money donated to the cause, Ellsworth Heating & Cooling and ABC Septic Service each matched the first $1,000 raised, tripling the amount.
For more information visit nfmcivic.com.
NFMNL
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com