Putting shoes on their feet and a smile on their face.
Saturday, March 20,2004 the Rancho Cucamonga Rotary Club had their annual Happy Feet
Program at Payless Shoe Source at 10730 Foothill Blvd. Ste 130, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.
This year they had 300 needy children listed to receive free shoes. . The
Rotary Club provided coffee, juice, muffins, and Danishes to the families. They start to line up as early as 6:30 in the morning
to be first in line. The store opens early at 8am exclusively for this event. The children are escorted in by a volunteer (some Rotarians or students from Alta
Loma High School) The children are fitted for the right size and then told to pick out any pair of shoes they want. Mike Cobb Chairman says, We get a thrill out of seeing the kids face light up when they get their
new pair of shoes. Its free to the kids and no parents are allowed in the store,
just kids getting what they really want. Ed Biebrich, President of the
Rotary Club says, Weve been doing this for the city of Rancho Cucamonga for 10 years. We truly believe in service above self
and helping our community. Rancho Cucamonga Rotary Club has been giving its love
back through sharing with those less fortunate.
This
is the 3rd year that weve been involved in finding 200 names for the RC Rotary Club, says Denise Palmer of A Christian
Place Magazine. We go to the Cucamonga School district and work with the teachers,
nurses, and staff to find the children that are in need. Over the
years we have found many homeless children living in hotels that are given a new pair of shoes. The staff at each of the schools truly put forth the effort to find the needy children and invite
them to this exciting event. It truly is an exciting thing. Rancho Cucamonga and Alta Loma School district also submits names of needy children to the Rotary Club. Payless Shoe Source, Manager Trina says, We do this every year, its our way of giving
back to the community.
This is a perfect example of the haves giving to the have-nots. This is what Jesus has directed us to do. To bless others
with what we have been given. This is what community is all about. During Christmas, the R C Rotary Club is at it again. They give $100 Shopping Sprees to kids for Christmas. Mike Cobb Chairman says, Thanks to the schools bringing us these kids and parents getting them here we
can finally fulfill the needs. Thank you RC Rotary Club, keep up the good work. May God continue to touch your hearts as you continue to bless others.
Written
by Marcus Palmer
