March 2021 – Due to public health restrictions during the 2020-21 school year, Collinsville Charities for Children was unable to host their annual shoe distribution event for Collinsville CUSD 10 children in December. However, the COVID-19 pandemic did not prevent them from providing shoes for elementary children in need.
In March, Collinsville Charities for Children volunteers Grant Koentz, Bob Uhrig and Derek Johnson loaded nearly two-hundred pairs of shoes and bags of socks into a vehicle and made deliveries to CUSD 10 elementary schools. This year’s distribution did not include photos with Santa and complimentary candy canes, but students were still surprised and excited to receive new shoes and socks.
Shoe Carnival once again provided shoes at a discount for Collinsville Charities for Children to purchase. The store also helped pick-out and organize the shoes for delivery. At the December event, children’s feet are measured and each child is allowed to pick out their favorite pair and try them on before leaving. This year, sizes were gathered by the schools and Shoe Carnival provided a popular style for each child based on age. Uhrig said the store employees went above and beyond to assist the charity by sorting the boxes by school and labeling them with each child’s name.
Collinsville Charities for Children has provided this service to Collinsville CUSD 10 children for more than a decade. The program originated with the local Optimist Club in the 1980s and transitioned to a separate 501(c)(3) organization in the 2000s.
Funds to provide the shoes and socks are raised at the annual Collinsville Charities for Children Golf Scramble. This year’s event is Friday, June 11 at Arlington Greens. See information below.
