Beech Tree News Network

 October 2017 - Morganfield, KY – Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet, Inc. with headquarters located in Morganfield recently received a grant from the Kentucky Colonels in the amount of $19,200.00 to purchase 600 pairs of high quality shoes for needy students in Christian County, Simpson County, and Butler County.  Butler and Simpson counties are receiving 100 pairs each and Christian County is receiving 400 pairs.     Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet, Inc. serves nineteen different counties in west and central Kentucky whose mission is to purchase high quality “athletic type“ shoes for disadvantaged students in grades K through twelve to help students focus more on learning.    “A Kentucky Colonel is more than just a certificate, it’s a group of passionate individuals that care about the citizens of Kentucky and who want to make a difference.  We harness our members’ generous donations and award grants to not-for-profits to help those most in need throughout the Commonwealth.”         --Barbara Dutschke, Commanding General of the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Colonels.

The Kentucky Colonels is an organization of talented and capable men and women appointed by the Governor because of their citizenship and their service.  Their primary objective is to support Kentucky organizations that stand ready to help our citizens everywhere.  The Kentucky Colonels, through their Good Works Program, distributed $1.5 million to support worthy causes this year, which will impact over 3 million people across the state. Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet was founded in 2009 in Union County by Jerry Baird, a retired coal miner and in 2012 Happy Feet became a corporation.  Each location has local volunteer committees who raise the needed dollars to purchase athletic type shoes for their students in need. The money comes from fundraisers, donations from businesses churches, individuals and from grants.  This is a partnership with the school districts and all students are selected by the schools’ Family Resource Coordinators using free lunch lists and recommendations from teachers and counselors.  Students are measured to get the proper fit and students choose the shoes they want from pre-selected shoe choices.  When shoes are delivered the committee with the help of other community volunteers such as law enforcement and civic clubs fit the shoes to each student. The beginning of school and November-December are the primary times when shoes are distributed.  In 2016, Happy Feet provided 5,217 pairs of shoes to KY students.  A new pair of shoes can change a life and always puts a big smile on the face of a child.  
 
Butler County Happy Feet is a new location.  A Shoe Carnival team from Bowling Green went to Morgantown Elementary, North Butler Elementary, Butler County Middle School and Butler County High School to measure the selected students on October 24th.  Students who participated should get their new shoes in late November. 
 
This KY Colonels grant is a one-time award.  Butler County has also received a $1,000.00 Walmart Community Grant for the purchase of shoes. Local donations from Butler County will be needed for students to receive shoes again next year.  Melissa Glass, Family Resource Coordinator at North Butler and Morgantown Elementary is the contact person for the Butler County Happy Feet.  Donations for Butler County Happy Feet can be mailed to P.O. Box 728 or can be dropped off at the Butler County Family Resource Center.  Local donations will be needed for this program to continue in Butler County.  Everyone who wants to become a part of Butler County Happy Feet is welcome to contact the Butler County Family Resource Center. 
 
 Submitted by: Janet Gill   Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet, Inc.  Executive BD Secretary 270-952-8015