Ohio County Schools Continues Holiday Shoe Drive | News, Sports, Jobs

Jody Miller, federal programs secretary for Ohio County Schools, shows some of the shoes purchased for the Central Office’s annual shoe drive. (Photo Provided)

Once again, Ohio County Schools central office employees are collaborating to bring new shoes this holiday season to students who need them.

Some are sparkly. Some are princess shoes, and some even light up when the child walks, said Jody Miller, federal programs secretary for Ohio County Schools.

Sometimes a student even asks for work boots.

Miller each year does the shopping for the office’s annual shoe drive.

This year she was called upon to purchase 30 pairs of shoes – one pair for a male and one pair for a female at each of the district’s 13 school buildings. Additional pairs are purchased if there are multiple children in a family, she explained.

“We try to fill specific needs,” Miller said. “Sometimes they ask for specific colors or brands. And I try to fulfill that in every way I can.”

This year, one of the students asked for a specific pair of Vans shoes.

“For the younger ones, we look for one they don’t have to tie – maybe with velcro,” Miller explained. “Some of the students can’t tie their shoes yet, and we’re trying to make it as easy as possible.”

Miller does the shopping herself.

“But it is easier when I have specifics,” she added.

The shoes will be delivered to building principals within the next week or two, and from there they will be distributed to the students.

At present, they are on display at the Central Office for employees to view. Over the year the employees contribute to a fund from which charitable contributions are made, and the shoes are purchased from those dollars.

“Every employee (in the Central Office) donates toward it,” she said.

The donation effort began in 2007 as a winter coat drive. However, it was changed to a shoe drive in 2012 because there were already a number of successful coat drives throughout the schools, Miller said.

Some of the principals have videotaped the students receiving their shoes, and Miller has seen their reaction to her efforts.

“It’s priceless when they see what they are getting,” she said. “I’ve seen kids cry and the whole gamut of emotions. It’s a pleasure doing this every year.”