Shoes with a purpose

DIAGONAL — Thanks to the help from an anonymous donor, 48 Diagonal students have received a brand new pair of shoes.

In August, Creston Family Shoe Store owner Mindy Bailey was contacted by an area woman with the idea of giving new shoes to every student in Diagonal’s kindergarten through fifth grades.

“The donor, she contacted me and asked me if I’d be able to manage to get that many shoes if she was able to get the grant, and I said absolutely,” Bailey said.

The anonymous donor agreed to pay for any costs that went over the unspecified grant. After working with the school, a plan was made for Bailey and her family to visit Diagonal Aug. 29 in order to fit the students for their new shoes.

Students came in by class to be fitted for their new shoes, receiving the pair before they left for the day. Four students who were out sick will be sized at a later date.

“It was just so much fun. I could not have done it without my husband or our son,“ Bailey said. ”Without them, I would have been lost, and all the teachers that jumped in to help down there. It was amazing. In an hour and a half, we fit all 44 of those kids.”

Bailey said trying to order all the right sizes was stressful, but it worked out in the end. The students will keep the shoes at school for a new PE section on walking around the world.

With the price of shoes, it can be difficult for families to afford a brand-new pair every year. Bailey hopes these new pairs help the students feel special.

“I think every kid should have a good pair of shoes. I think some of the kids have never had a real new pair of shoes or quality shoe, and that’s what it’s all about,” Bailey said. “They were all excited. It was very, very satisfying, it just felt like you were doing something good.”