Kilgore Rotarians are already several steps into their 2025 Shoe Project for local students, and they’re spreading the word to make sure no local families miss out on the distribution July 25-26 in the Activity Center of St. Luke’s Methodist Church.
Across many years, thousands of local children have been starting the first day of school with a pair of new kicks thanks to Rotary Club of Kilgore’s volunteer efforts and donations as well as the contributions of their Flag Program participants and other donors. In 2024, local Rotarians gave away more than 400 pairs of shoes to Pre-K students all the way through late-teens.
Come end-July, “Right now, we’re expecting four or five hundred pairs to give away. Plus socks,” according to Linda Sartor, spearheading the Rotary Club’s annual drive. “We like it because it helps the kids start school with a brand new pair of shoes just like all the other kids.”
The project’s been on simmer for a couple of months, and now is full swing as the volunteers seek out summertime sales on kids’ shoes of all sizes.
“We’ve already gotten cranked up for sure,” Sartor told her fellow club members last month. In addition to a Rotary district grant a bit shy of $2,000, the club members are utilizing flag program proceeds to purchase shoes from $7 to $17. “We’ve also been given some donations. We’re happy for that. We’ve already received $1,000 from one entity.
Recently, “We purchased 78 or 79 pairs of shoes, and we spent over $900. Actually, each pair was on sale. We’re going to do the best we can. The price is going to be up a little.”
Along with some shoes leftover from last year’s drive, the club members are eager to welcome a steady stream of qualifying students and their families to St. Luke’s, fitting each with a pair of shoes and stocks.
“If your family receives benefits from SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or the National School Lunch Program, your children will qualify to receive shoes,” per a recent release.
The distribution is set for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 25, and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 26 at 401 E. Main St. Signage will point to the correct entrance.
“The shoes will be distributed to each qualifying student in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. Each child needing shoes should be present for measurement to ensure the correct size. Parents/guardians should accompany children from the same family group.”
Participants should park in front of the church or in the Gym/Activity Center’s side lot.
“It’ll all be great. We’re ready to go,” Sartor said, and all are welcome, even if they’re unsure about their qualifications: “They can just come. As Rotarians, we’re not going to turn anyone away.” The distribution is target for Kilgore ISD and Sabine ISD, but last year’s beneficiaries included students from Winnsboro, Chapel Hill, Gladewater and other areas. “If they came in, we did not turn them away. We really do the best we can to serve.”
For more information, to support the drive or to learn more the civic organization, log on to rotaryclubofkilgore.org.
From Rotary Club of Kilgore:
Zapatos nuevos para la escuela
25 y 26 de julio de 2025
El Club Rotario de Kilgore cree que todos los niños deben tener un nuevo par de zapatos y calcetines para usar el primer dÃa de clases. Los estudiantes que califiquen pueden recibir un nuevo par de zapatos y calcetines. Si su familia recibe beneficios de SNAP, Medicaid, SSI o el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares, sus hijos calificarán para recibir zapatos
Los zapatos se distribuirán el viernes 25 de julio de 2024 de 8:30 a. m. a 5:00 p. m. y el sábado 26 de julio de 2024 de 8:30 a. m. a 12:00 del mediodia. La distribución se llevará a cabo en St. Luke’s Methodist Church en el Activity Center. Ingresará al edificio de St. Luke’s Methodist Church desde 401 E Main St. Habrá carteles para mostrar la entrada.
Los zapatos se distribuirán a cada estudiante calificado en los grados de Pre-K a 12º grado. Cada niño que necesite zapatos debe estar presente para medir y garantizar el tamaño correcto. Los padres/tutores deben acompañar a los niños del mismo grupo familiar.
Necesitara estacionarse frente a la iglesia o en el pequeno estacionamiento frente al Centro de Actividades.
Se empleará un protocolo de seguridad, que incluye desinfectante de manos y toallitas desinfectantes.
Club Rotario de Kilgore
