Eighth annual ‘Shoes for School’ event held at Miller Park

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Students are getting ready to go back to school and are starting to check off their supply lists.

With rising costs for students, it can be hard to provide.

Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC) hosted its eighth annual Shoes for School initiative on Saturday morning. 

They partnered with local organizations to host the event at Miller Park.

“This is an incredible event. This is really about community coming together to help our kids, to lift one another up, and to give these great kids off to a super start for the school year. We couldn’t be prouder,” TVA Regional V.P. for the East Region Carol Eimers said.

The program helps provide a new pair of shoes, backpacks and school supplies for Hamilton County students who will be entering kindergarten through eighth grade.

“To be here today, to sponsor this event, to help these kids hand out school supplies, see the smiles on their faces… knowing that they’re going to school with a new backpack, new shoes, it just gives them a whole new perspective on joining the school here,” Eimers said.

The Shoes for School initiative strive to boost the confidence and preparedness of students in financial need by providing new shoes and school supplies.

“One thing that we focus on is ensuring that they have a brand-new pair of shoes that are high quality because we know the cost— of shoes and supplies, and backpacks, for multiple children can add up,” ULGC President and CEO Candy Johnson said.

ULGC, EPB, and TVA were just some of the participating organizations that helped make the event possible. 

Families across the area attended and were able to receive support.

“The most important thing for our city long-term is to have well-educated kids and kids that are cared for. So, an event like this, that wraps around kids and their families, to support them as we enter into a new school year, it warms my heart as mayor,” Mayor Tim Kelly said.

The organizations wish students and families a great school year and hope this event can boost their confidence moving forward.

“Being able to connect and be close with these families, and see how much it means to them, gives me the greatest joy to know that we are fulfilling our mission in multiple ways and today is just another example,” Johnson said.