Stories And Inspiration

Grant Helps Provide Shoes for GO FAR Kids

Submitted by Anonymous on Apr 25th 2014 - 3:00PM. | Perma Link

GO FAR shoesHeroes. Superheroes. It doesn’t matter. When you make a difference in a child’s life, you don’t need a label. Seeing the smiles, you understand how deep the gratitude goes.

Thanks to a grant from the High Point Medical Society, proceeds from last year’s GO FAR Superhero 10K, and a discount from Omega Sports in High Point, 75 kids received a free pair of running shoes this spring. Students in GO FAR running clubs at Johnson Street Global Studies, Union Hill Elementary, and Triangle Lake Montessori received shoes based on need.

As the sixth- through eighth-grade students in Laura Arndt’s life skills class at Johnson Street opened their shoeboxes, one look around the room proved their awe and satisfaction.

Some kids commented about having their own shoes, not having to wear dad’s, or the size and color of the bright new running shoes.

After lacing up and checking the fit, many of the kids put the shoes to the test—jumping, hopping, and taking big and small steps. The shoes felt different than their old ones. They looked brighter. And the kids could not stop smiling. These new shoes will have to handle a lot of running and walking in the next few weeks. The students have been training every Friday to run or walk in the GO FAR one-mile Fun Run on May 3.

The kids benefitting from this grant weren’t chosen at random. “Some of my students were wearing shoes that were falling apart or too small for their feet,” Arndt said.

“The motivation this new footwear provides exemplifies our goal of getting our kids active,” said Michelle Bode, physical education teacher and GO FAR program director at Johnson Street. “The kids are excited to run with their new shoes and enjoy it because they’re in comfortable footwear designed for the activity—a luxury few, if any, of these 19 students have ever had.”

A lot of people helped pull it off: Superhero 10K participants, Omega Sports, and the High Point Medical Society.

The High Point Medical Society provided the $1,500 grant. The society’s president, Alexander Lim, said, “What struck us with the GO FAR grant request was, childhood obesity and the general lack of exercise in today’s youth aside, the emotional, and not just physical, betterment of a child from a properly fitting pair of shoes seemed so simple that it was genius. GO FAR is so inclusive in encouraging activity—one does not need to be athletic to be an athlete—participating only requires the willingness to do so.”

They may finally have comfortable shoes to do it in, but it’s likely that willingness that will push these kids across the finish line.

Kelli Staples, third- through fifth-grade life skills teacher at Johnson Street, said, “I have half my class registered for the race, and that includes students with physical limitations. While they may not be the fastest runners, they will do their best and that will always be good enough. And the most important part is that we will all have fun.”

GO FAR participants will walk or run the one-mile Fun Run or 5K May 3 in High Point. Register now for the GO FAR events or come out and cheer. Sheetz Superhero 10K proceeds help buy shoes and GO FAR scholarships for kids in need.

 

Pictured from top: Triangle Lake Montessori GO FAR; a student gets an uplifting note from Omega Sports; the 3rd- through 5th-grade life skills class at Johnson Street Global Studies with Ricky Evans of Omega Sports (back left) and Alexander Lim (back right) of High Point Medical Society. Picture at top: A Johnson Street student shows off his new shoes.

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