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Samaritan’s Feet, over 100 volunteers put new shoes on feet of students at Dayton’s Lincoln Elementary


Samaritan’s Feet, an international nonprofit, held its third event in NKY on Friday, putting new shoes on the feet of more than 500 students at Lincoln Elementary School in Dayton.

Ove 100 volunteers, including upperclassmen from Dayton High School, were on hand to help wash the students’ feet and fit socks and new shoes. The volunteers were needed to do the washing, provide fresh water, fit the shoes, manage the distribution of shoes and socks and keep the well-oiled system going.

Denise Blomberg, Samaritan’s Feet representative, was impressed with the volunteer turnout — and the enthusiasm.

The shoe project for Newport Primary, Bellevue Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Newport Intermediate (on Monday) was made possible by grants to Samaritan Feet by WalMart and the Calipari Foundation. Local funding was provided by Southbank Partners, the NKyTribune, the Butler Foundation, Dennis Keane, and AT&T. Donations can be made to Southbank Partners, 425 York St., Newport, Ky 41071.

See the NKyTribune’s earlier story about the project here.

Favorite quote of the day comes from a student: “I LOVE these new shoes. I think I’ll just sleep in them.”

The experience in pictures:

Volunteers are ready to get to work.

Students show off their new shoes.

Volunteer high school students managed socks and shoes

Dayton High School students helped pick out shoes.

Making a connection over foot-washing.

Enjoying the process

Even Dayton School Supt. Jay Brewer was a volunteer.

Students delivered fresh water.

Volunteers stayed busy all morning

Students were happy about getting new shoes.

Dayton-Bellevue Fire Chief Chris Adkins came for a second day of volunteering. Samaritan’s Feet representative Denise Blomberg was impressed with alll the volunteers.


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