PORT ANGELES — New winter shoes are being collected for some of the most vulnerable children in Clallam County beginning Friday in the Kicks for Kids shoe drive.
Clallam County Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) is 150 pairs short of being able to give new shoes to every foster child in Clallam County and is trying to collect the shoes by Nov. 20.
“Some of these are kiddos who have never had new shoes,” said Valerie Brooks, CASA program coordinator.
Clallam County has 215 children in foster care, Brooks said.
They range from infants to teenagers, and many entered foster care with little more than the clothes on their backs, she said.
“It’s getting cold. It’s getting wet. They need new shoes,” she said.
Foster families may be given small stipends to clothe the children they care for, but they are operating on a tight budget to provide everything the children need, and shoes can be expensive, Brooks said.
Some of the children are in foster care for short stays while another family member is located. Others may remain with foster families for years or until they turn 18.
Most of the 60 or so pairs of shoes already collected are for younger children — cute, sparkly, fun kids shoes, Brooks said.
Older children
It is the shoes for the older children, those who are entering their teenage years and wear adult sizes, that are difficult to collect, she said.
Brooks said the older children are more likely to wear out their shoes rather than outgrow them, so higher-quality brands that can take the wear and tear of a teenage lifestyle are needed.
Cut-outs of each foster child’s foot, with the child’s age, shoe size and sex, can be picked up at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., at several shoe drive locations in Clallam County.
Shoe drives will be held in Port Angeles from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Swain’s General Store, 602 E. First St., and at Walmart, 3411 E. Kolonels Way.
The shoe drive then will move to Sequim from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Big 5 Sporting Goods, 171 Alley Road.
Purchased shoes also can be dropped off in Port Angeles drop boxes by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Clallam County Courthouse; Jim’s Pharmacy, 424 E. Second St.; KONP, 721 E. First St.; Port Angeles High School, 304 E. Park Ave., or in Sequim at Sound Bank, 645 W. Washington St.
Cash donations will be accepted at the shoe drive locations or at the CASA office at the Clallam County Courthouse to purchase shoes for any foster child who is not selected by a donor.
Checks should be written to Friends of Clallam County CASA.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
