Jackson Rotary Clubs put heart and soles into three elementary schools
The Rotary Clubs of Jackson teamed up Friday to distribute more than 400 pairs of socks and tennis shoes to South Elementary School in Pinson, Tenn. as part of a project that's seen thousands of students outfitted with new kicks.
As students waited for their turn to be served, volunteers from the rotary clubs and the community took the time to talk to them one on one.
Each child was treated to a foot washing, a pair of socks and a pair of tennis shoes.
West Tennessee Health Care Director of Health and Wellness Shelley Hayes said she was overwhelmed with joy as she interacted with the students. She was also pleased with how the community came together to help, she said.
“The Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club, Jackson Downtown Rotary Club and Good Evening Club worked together,” said Hayes, a Rotarian. “We raised the funds, making it possible to provide new socks and shoes to three elementary schools in Jackson.”
The Rotary club is a civic organization that brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity and advance goodwill, peace and understanding in the world.
Together, the three Rotary Clubs served students at East Elementary, South Elementary and Denmark Elementary Schools in the Jackson Madison County School System (JMCSS).
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They provided more than 1,400 pairs of socks and tennis shoes between the three schools.
It was the fourth year that Rotarians had worked on the project.
“One year, students were invited to the gym at the Lyft and were instructed to wear tennis shoes,” Hayes said. “Some didn’t have tennis shoes and had on flip flops. As a mother, it touched my heart, and I presented the idea to the Rotary Club.”
On Friday, many of the students from South Elementary School were excited to show off their new shoes.
Some of them were even more thrilled to see that they shared the same style of shoe as their classmates.
Katrina Smith is an education reporter at The Jackson Sun. Send those story ideas or connect with Katrina via email, kmsmith@gannett.com.