10 Years of Soul Support

DONATIONS PROVIDE LOCAL CHILDREN WITH NEW SOCKS, SHOES, & HYGIENE ITEMS

For the 10th consecutive year, Cumberlands’ staff and students conducted the program Shoes 4 the Soul, giving shoes, socks, and other essential items to local children in need.

This year’s program consisted of donating shoes, socks, t-shirts, and hygiene items to approximately 550 students from seven local elementary schools, including Pleasant View, Pine Knot, Boston, Whitley North, Whitley East, Whitley Central, and Williamsburg Independent. Cumberlands staff and students brought the items directly to the schools to be handed out by their family resource officers to the children who needed the items.

Caitlyn Howell, director of Appalachian Ministries, who has organized the program for the last few years, said, “Shoes are a distinctive thing that builds confidence for the kids. We’re meeting some essential needs, but we’re also reaching beyond physical needs and helping build confidence that they will carry with them into their future.”

All Cumberlands’ undergraduate students participate in various community service opportunities each semester, supporting the university’s mission of impacting others in positive ways while teaching students leadership through service. Shoes 4 the Soul is just one event that allows Cumberlands students to give back to their community and serve the children in it.

“The kids are always excited,” said Tammy Stephens, the family resource director for Williamsburg Independent School District. “Most of the kids receiving these shoes don’t get any other pairs of shoes outside of what they get from our family resource center. Little boys especially wear through their shoes quickly with how hard they play. This gives them a good pair of shoes to wear.”

It costs just $30 to provide a child with shoes, socks, t-shirts, and hygiene products at Shoes 4 the Soul. Cumberlands has made a campus-wide goal to support at least 500 students each year with shoes and other essential items.