Shoes Make All The Difference
Shoes make all the difference
By DIANA SHOLLEY
STAFF WRITER
Sometimes in the winter Kaila Corrington runs outside in her bare feet. When the 10-year-old Upland youngster can't stand the frosty ground one second longer she runs inside and puts on her socks and shoes.
"I would hate if I had had no shoes to wear," Kaila said. "My feet would always be too hot or too cold and they would have blisters and would hurt all the time. It's a good feeling to know I can put shoes on anytime I want. That's why we're collecting shoes for other people." Kaila and her Spanish Trails Girl Scout Junior Troop 1272 have chosen to be part of the, "Shoes For The Children," project. The troop together with the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) is collecting new and gently used shoes for children in need.
Troop members include eight girls from 9 to 11 who attend Valencia
Elementary School in Upland, CA. The project came to the troops attention through member Alyssa Tepper, whose father, Dr. Jan David Tepper is an Upland Podiatrist. Dr. Tepper is also a member of the Board of Directors of the California Podiatric Medical Association, a nonprofit scientific and educational organization that offers continuing medical education, professional development and public service information.
"What we're trying to do is promote healthy feet," Dr. Tepper said. "Problems start early. The most common problem is that people don't wear proper fitting shoes. It's so important that children have the proper fitting shoes because that will prevent many health problems in the future." Tepper explained that proper fitting shoes could prevent foot, leg and lower back problems, keeping children active into adulthood and reducing the risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Scout members distributed fliers to several district elementary schools and Pioneer Junior High. The fliers asked for new or gently used shoes in any size. The girls constructed drop off boxes and made final holiday pick-ups in November. More than 400 pairs of shoes were collected and donated to His Hands, Shoes That Fit and Foothill Family Shelter, local organizations that deal
with children in need. However, a drop box is at Dr. Tepper's office year round and the girls will make periodic pick-ups and deliver the shoes to above organizations.
This project is helping the scouts achieve their Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn. It represents fulfilled commitments to improve community, world and self. "Part of being in Girl Scouts is to teach the girls caring for others,"said troop leader Janice Corrington. "Projects like this helps them realize that they are part of something bigger than themselves."
And from what the girls had to say, it seemed to be working.
"So many people don't have enough money to buy a house or clothes or food," Girls Scout Marisa Lyons said. "And if they don't have money for that stuff how can they buy shoes? Then they'll go outside and step on rocks and their feet will feel uncomfortable. I'm glad we're helping them." Alyssa Tepper agreed with her troop mate. "So many things can happen to your feet if you don't have shoes," Alyssa said. "Like if you stepped on a nail it would not only feel miserable, but it might turn into something worse and what if you couldn't see a doctor? It feels good to help the children."
The second week of December the girls had already gotten some positive feed back. A hand drawn, colored thank you card from what seemed to be a young girl. The drawing was of two large feet wearing a pair of red shoes and a printed note off to the side that simply said, "Thank you for my new shoes. Amanda." Diana Sholley can be reached at (909) 483-8542 or by e-mail at d_sholley@dailybulletin.com.Members of Spanish Trails Girl Scout Junior Troop 1272: Jordyn and Kaila Corrington, Kaelyn DeYoung, Crysta Fath, Marisa Lyons, Shannon Munson, Alyssa Tepper and Kathy Wilson. Group Leaders: Janice Corrington, Desiree Lyons and Kelly DeYoung Who: Dr. Jan David Tepper and Girl Scout Junior Troop 1272 What: "Shoes For The Children" When: Anytime throughout the year Where: Drop-off site Dr. Tepper's Office. 942 W. Foothill Blvd., Suite B, Upland Information: (909) 920-0884
(Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin -Thursday, December 23, 2004)
