CHES donates more than 1,300 shoes through service project to fight poverty

December 2, 2021 | 12:10 am

Updated December 1, 2021 | 10:40 pm

Country Heights Elementary School on Wednesday donated more than 1,300 pairs of shoes that will go to other countries to help families fight poverty. Students led the effort and took pride in making a difference for those in need.

The shoe drive ran for two months. Katie Janoski, a 5th-grade teacher who also serves as a teacher representative for the school’s Lighthouse program, said their goal was to collect 50 bags’ worth of shoes. They collected 52.

“This was a way for Country Heights to get involved not only in the community but with countries all around the world,” Janoski said. “It was a great service project for our families. Our Student Lighthouse leaders were in charge of this project and they took the initiative to wrap all the shoes in rubber bands and put them into plastic bags that went onto the truck.”

The Student Lighthouse team is 4th- and 5th-grade students that are selected as student leaders. Jaoski said the students are leaders in the school and they take part in community service projects or just being a leader in the building.

Joski said the shoes will be given to people in other countries that don’t have incomes. 

“They refurbish the shoes and then sell them, and so it’s a way for them to make a profit and to find their way out of poverty,” she said.

Country Heights Principal Stacy Harper said while students often bring in canned goods or participate in other service projects, this one was really meaningful to them. 

“They really took a lot of pride and ownership, and they felt like they made a difference with this one,” Harper said. “It really made a difference for them to think that they made a difference for others. That was powerful for us. We really want our kids to be able to make a difference. Not just while they’re here, but hopefully that inspires them to make a difference long after they leave us here at Country Heights.”

December 2, 2021 | 12:10 am

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