By: Kadey Heidrich
Pasadena ISD Communications
The New York Road Runners, a non-profit organization, through a partnership with New Balance, donated 850 pairs of sneakers to students at Milstead Middle School.
The shoes donation came as part of the NYRR and New Balance “1 for you, 1 youth” program. For each pair of sneakers purchased from select New Balance stores, one pair of youth sneakers is donated to a child participating in the Rising New York Road Runners program, a free program encouraging students to become physically active.
Milstead Middle School has participated in the program for several years with leadership from Physical Education teacher, Deana Garza. As part of the Rising New York Road Runners, teachers log student involvement in activities designed by the program. While Milstead has received donations of t-shirts and other items from NYRR in the past, this is the first time the school has received a donation of this size.
“We’re one of just two schools in the country to receive this donation and we’re the only school in Texas,” said Garza. “New York Road Runners have always been so supportive of us.”
Milstead was nominated to receive the donation by its NYRR representative. Once Garza heard the news that Milstead had won the donation, she couldn’t believe her ears.
“I said wait, repeat that! I just couldn’t believe it,” said Garza.
In order to make sure the students received sneakers in their size, NYRR asked Garza to submit the shoe sizes of each child. However, Garza wanted the donation to be a surprise for the students. Instead, she told them she was applying for a grant to receive the shoes. Several days before the shoes were distributed to the students, Garza spilled the beans and told the students they had won.
“This is such a blessing for us,” said Garza. “Our kids are the top priority.”