It all started with one teacher not being afraid to ask one simple question…“could you help?”
When Eagle Grove High School special education teacher Geri Winge found out that there was a student in her school who needed a pair of basketball shoes for this season, she stepped up. Since she is friends with the owners of Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. in Fort Dodge, and has herself bought many shoes from them throughout the years, she picked up the phone and gave them a call. She explained the situation and asked if they had a pair of basketball shoes they would be willing to either donate or give her a discount on, telling them she would make up the price difference if necessary in order to make sure this student could have the proper shoes to play the game. The answer she got was beyond her wildest expectation. Not only did Brown Shoe Fit Co. give her a free pair of shoes, they’ve given her several boxes full since she first asked. So far there have been three distributions – one last fall, one the end of January this year, and one two weeks ago.
“Each time they’ve given us at least two or three boxes,” said Winge excitedly.
And they’re not just any old shoes people don’t want. Lots of them are brand names like Keen, Sas, UnderArmour, and Brooks. Many of them still even have the price tags on. The ones that aren’t brand new are simply returns that someone bought and decided they didn’t fit right, but they are still like brand new.
Winge, with the help of her students, have been honored to unpack the boxes of shoes each time. They are displayed on a special rack in her room until they can place them on the feet of new owners. Some have been given out to students, and others have gone to adults in the community – maybe a parent or a neighbor of a student, or to an individual Winge knows who could use a new pair of shoes. She has also put the word out to the district principals and school nurses if they know of anyone who could benefit from the generosity of Brown Shoe Fit Co.
“We’ve given away about 30 pairs of shoes so far,” said Winge.
She’s excited that they still have many more to give away. Whether it be sneakers, work boots, dress shoes…they’ve got them. The best part is, they are completely free to anyone who needs a little step ahead in life. And to think, it all started with one person asking for help for one student.
