Happy Feet for over 100 students in Butler County Schools

Tue, 08/10/2021 - 10:05am — Diane Dyer

Brand new shoes are now on the feet of 100 Butler County children thanks to the Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet program.

Happy Feet partnered with the Family Resource Youth Service Center of Butler County to bring new pairs of shoes to children in need for the upcoming school year. An event was hosted at Fire House Pizza in Morgantown on August 6, allowing students to come and get the shoes.

"Thanks to our volunteers for helping our kids try on their shoes today and making sure they had the perfect fit. The awesome crew at Firehouse Pizza served our kids pizza and ice cream after they received their shoes," said Melissa Glass of the Family Resource Center.

We can't thank everyone enough for supporting Butler County Happy Feet. If you would like to donate to sponsor kids who need school shoes in the future, please get in touch with Butler County FRYSC.

Throughout the previous school year, Happy Feet gave Butler County school staff a chance to refer students from the schools in the county they observed who may need shoes.

The program operates by coordinating events and fundraisers in the local community to develop sources of funding. For example, the Knights of Columbus were instrumental in this year's shoe drive.

Happy Feet aims to remove the burden of not having a basic necessity such as shoes that may hinder academic performance in school. In doing so, their goal is to "provide shoes to children in need so they can better focus their efforts on learning." In addition, the program believes that a new pair of shoes can build self-esteem and reduce teasing and bullying in schools. According to Founder and President Jerry Baird, "A happy student becomes a happy learner."

The program, which started in 2009, has grown to serve multiple counties throughout Kentucky. Butler County is just one of several counties in Kentucky that participates in the program.

For more information on Happy Feet or to donate, visit https://www.happyfeetequalslearningfeet.com/ or contact the President at 270-952-2006. Need more information or want to become a sponsor, contact the Family Resource Youth Service Center at 270-999-2686 for elementary and 270-526-4800 for middle and high school.