RICHMOND—
They're starting off the new school year in style, and thousands of Richmond area children have some churches and businesses to thank for it.The fourth annual Free Shoes for Back To School Drive was a huge success, drawing in thousands of parents and their children six hours before the giveaway began.
Rita Willis, with 3rd Street Bethel A.M.E Church says the giveaway was a huge undertaking. She says ten churches in all joined in on the vision her church's ministry began back in 2007. "We started planning a year ago for this moment" says Willis.
Monday before organizers even showed up to the church on North 3rd Street, there were people already lined up outside of the building. Close to eight hundred people wrapped around the church building before 7 o'clock.
Small children in tow, parents bundled them up and let them sleep on lawn chairs until the doors opened at 8:00 a.m. Grandparent Nadine Ward took her six grandchildren to pick out a pair of shoes. She says they are all extremely grateful.
"It's wonderful. It was great for the neighborhood, but it was for everyone. It's just good to know there are still some good people out there" says Ward.
Stores like Saxon Shoes, Shoe Rack, Target, Walmart and Marshalls donated shoes of all sizes. We even spotted a " Shaq" size 18 shoe in the pile. Rev. Ricardo Brown tells us donations also came in from sororities, fraternities and church members who just wanted to be a blessing to the children.
Parents were required to be with their children when they walked into the church hall that was turned into a makeshift shoe store. Many complimented organizers on the orderly fashion in which they were led into the church hall and escorted by a volunteer to the appropriate table.
With five thousand shoes to choose from, some of the children were overwhelmed and took a little time to find just the right shoe. But, in the end, they all walked away with a pair of shoes and a smile.
Organizers say this event is more than just a shoe giveaway. It's a ministry that they are using to touch lives. Willis says she's already had conversations with 6th District City Council representative, Ellen Robertson about this event.
She says they plan to work together, get more churches involved and hopefully book the Richmond Convention Center for next years event.
Speaking with great pride about the event, Rev. Tyrone Nelson told CBS 6 " This is our way of fulfilling the 4th chapter of the gospel of Luke. We're trying to be like Jesus, meeting the needs of those in need."
