Employees Step Up, Providing ‘Shoes That Fit’ for Local Children
August 20, 2021 – As a new school year gets underway, Rowland Water District employees are helping students put their best foot forward by raising money to buy them shoes.
The “RWD – Our Community, Our Family” program presented a check for $1,173.96 to Shoes That Fit, a Claremont-based organization that provides athletic shoes for children in need nationally. The money was raised entirely through staff participation in a friendly “penny competition” between employees to encourage donations.
“As essential service providers, we are dedicated to helping our community and recently created the ‘RWD – Our Community, Our Family’ charitable program to give back to our neighbors,” said Rowland Water District General Manager Tom Coleman. “As we kick off this mission with our first donation, our employees recognized how Shoes that Fit makes a real difference helping children so they can focus on their education instead of being distracted by such a basic need.”
Typically, the demand for new shoes, clothes and school supplies increases at the start of each school year. Particularly now, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and an impacted economy, many local families are struggling to come up with basic necessities for their families.
“Shoes are one of the most visible signs of poverty and old shoes that don’t fit can be a source of ridicule and bullying,” said Amy Fass, CEO and Executive Director of Shoes That Fit. “Donations like this will provide new athletic shoes to help children start school with dignity and joy, while improving their attendance, self-esteem, and physical activity.”
The “RWD – Our Community, Our Family” program was created to provide Rowland Water District staff with opportunities to make contributions and participate in volunteer activities that help others in the communities where they live and work.
“For us, it is about investing in our children, and we could not be more grateful to Rowland Water for helping us do just that,” added Fass.
