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Independence, MO —
The project. Tennies for Kids, begun last year by Independence residents Donna Siegel and Betty Snapp, gathered 150 pairs of new shoes given to local children before school started in August. Demand far exceeded the supply, so this year they aimed for 1,000.
Progress. They made it.
“It’s gone very well. ... We have more than reached our goal. Money and shoes are still coming in,” Siegel says.
Next. Shoes are distributed at the Back to School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Community Services League, 404 N. Noland Road, Independence. To receive shoes, contact the Community Services League, 816-254-4100 or www.cslcares.org. You have to call ahead and make an appointment for a time to come in.
Last year, Siegel found it heart-breaking that, with the limited number of shoes, parents with more than one child were told they could only get one pair of shoes. That shouldn’t be a problem this year, she said.
What it means. “It is awesome,” Siegel says. “Just so many people and organizations have stepped up to the plate.”
One day, she said, she was dropping off some shoes at the Community Services League and was met at the door by a young woman, who saw the shoes and started crying. She’s a single mom, with no child support, trying to put herself through school.
“She says, ‘You just have no idea what this means,’” Siegel said.
How can I help?
• Donate through the Community Services League’s website at www.cslcares.org.
• Send a check (with Tennies for Kids in the memo line) to Community Services League, Attn: Tennies for Kids, 404 N. Noland Road, Independence, MO 64050.
• Take shoes to collection sites, which include: Centerplace Restoration School, 819 W. Waldo Ave., Independence; Stone Church Community of Christ, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence; East 39th Street Community of Christ, 15006 E. 39th St. South, Independence.
The future. This will become an annual event.
“Our community is unbelievable,” Siegel said. “It’s just really heart-warming to think we’ve pulled together.”
The project. Tennies for Kids, begun last year by Independence residents Donna Siegel and Betty Snapp, gathered 150 pairs of new shoes given to local children before school started in August. Demand far exceeded the supply, so this year they aimed for 1,000.
Progress. They made it.
“It’s gone very well. ... We have more than reached our goal. Money and shoes are still coming in,” Siegel says.
Next. Shoes are distributed at the Back to School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Community Services League, 404 N. Noland Road, Independence. To receive shoes, contact the Community Services League, 816-254-4100 or www.cslcares.org. You have to call ahead and make an appointment for a time to come in.
Last year, Siegel found it heart-breaking that, with the limited number of shoes, parents with more than one child were told they could only get one pair of shoes. That shouldn’t be a problem this year, she said.
What it means. “It is awesome,” Siegel says. “Just so many people and organizations have stepped up to the plate.”
One day, she said, she was dropping off some shoes at the Community Services League and was met at the door by a young woman, who saw the shoes and started crying. She’s a single mom, with no child support, trying to put herself through school.
“She says, ‘You just have no idea what this means,’” Siegel said.
How can I help?
• Donate through the Community Services League’s website at www.cslcares.org.
• Send a check (with Tennies for Kids in the memo line) to Community Services League, Attn: Tennies for Kids, 404 N. Noland Road, Independence, MO 64050.
• Take shoes to collection sites, which include: Centerplace Restoration School, 819 W. Waldo Ave., Independence; Stone Church Community of Christ, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence; East 39th Street Community of Christ, 15006 E. 39th St. South, Independence.
The future. This will become an annual event.
“Our community is unbelievable,” Siegel said. “It’s just really heart-warming to think we’ve pulled together.”
