Soles4Souls acts locally at Rosebank Elementary

It's not everyday people buy a new pair of shoes, especially in families where the main priority is to put food on the table. Most of the families whose children attend Rosebank Elementary fall in that category.

Soles4Souls was alerted to some of the needs and was glad to help. On May 22nd, every student and adult in the school walked out of Rosebank Elementary with a new pair of summer shoes, a great note upon which to end the school year.

The nonprofit has given shoes all over the world, to everyone from Hurricane Katrina victims to people in African refugee camps. Founder Wayne Elsey believes it is important to reach out closer to home as well.

"We've given to 35 different countries, but when the poverty level at home is growing, we thought it was time to step up locally," Elsey said. "Let's make sure that people here and in other cities in this country don't get forgotten. We just go out there and try to make a difference one pair at a time."

Soles4Souls has given to the school for two years, and it would like to try and expand the program at Rosebank.

"We're giving them shoes to have fun in this summer, and then we'd like to come back in August and give school shoes," Elsey said. "We'd like to try to keep money in mom and dad's pocket to help feed their families rather than buy shoes."

Some staff members from Bellevue Community Church came to volunteer for the effort. Pastor David Perez believes it's important the staff set an example of serving.

"We hooked up with Wayne, and Soles4Souls really opened our eyes to getting shoes to people in need," Perez said. "Our staff is here today, because we ourselves have to reach out. It's our mantra that we want people to grow in compassion, to soften their heart, open their eyes, and reach out their arms. The staff should be an example of that."

And the students and teachers are grateful. They know how hard their students work, and they're glad to see the community step in and become part of the school.

"This is a blessing for the entire school," said principal Jeannie Crowell. "When I first came on board we had no Pencil Partners and no community partners, and we've really tried to bring the community in to be a part of our schools. Having a community partner is such an asset. There's good things going on in every school, including Rosebank, and we want to show that. It's important that the community comes in and helps us as a school system."