It is not rocket science that you need a good pair of shoes for training and to give you the best performance during a race. You know how it feels when your knees start to hurt because your running shoes are falling apart and should have been replaced 100 miles ago. However, even when we let our running shoes get bad we typically replace them rather quickly, and most of us probably have a few (or more) good pairs of casual, dress, training, and running shoes lying around the house and garage. Now imagine those in our community, the kids, who don’t even have a decent pair of shoes to wear to school.
There are a lot of needs to be met in the Flint area, and many great organizations are working diligently to help those in need. One of those organizations is the Old Newsboys of Flint. Since 1924 they have helped over 770,000 kids, and we are glad to partner with them and New Balance in the Warm Hearts Healthy Starts Program, otherwise known as the coat and shoe program. Local elementary school teachers and counselors identify children who are in need of a new coat and/or shoes, and are invited to get a warm coat from Old Newsboys and bring a certificate to Complete Runner to get a new pair of shoes.
We’ve been measuring a lot of little feet lately. Some come in the store with their old ratty shoes on, falling apart, without socks. It brings us joy, and even tears, to fit these little feet with a new pairs of comfortable New Balance shoes. The smiles on their faces are priceless, and we wish we could see them strolling down the halls at school wearing their new shoes, no longer embarrassed of their shoes, and no more cold or hurting little feet.
We are also delighted that a portion of the proceeds from the recent Run4Wine race were given to the Old Newsboys to make sure no child is forgotten in the community.
If you would like to get involved and help put a smile on some deserving faces this Christmas, here are a few ways you can help:
- Look for volunteers “selling” newspapers at most major intersections in Genesee County on December 14 at the Old Newsboys annual paper sale. When everyone chips in great things can happen.
- Next time you are at our store consider sponsoring a child through the Old Newsboys Christmas Box Program. For only $20 a local child in need will receive a box filled with basic necessities, hygiene items, and a toy.
To learn more about the Old Newsboys, the programs they offer, and how you can get involved this Christmas please check them out at www.onbflint.org.
