Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association issued the following announcement on Feb. 24
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Samaritan’s Feet International will distribute approximately 400 pairs of shoes to students on Friday, February 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Harlem Park Elementary Middle School (1401 W Lafayette Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217). Each student will receive a new pair of shoes and socks from CIAA representatives and community volunteers. There will be video addresses from CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams, Samaritan’s Feet, and Verizon, along with cheer teams from CIAA schools cheering on the students.
“I am so grateful for our partnership with Coca-Cola and Academy Sports who continuously help us make an investment in the CIAA communities.The Samaritan’s Feet partnership is special and for over seven years, we have distributed over 3,000 pairs of shoes. This week we plan to leave footprints with not only shoes but 40 game tickets and $3,000 in gift cards from Academy Sports in addition to a lifetime of memories in the Baltimore community,” said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner.
“This donation from Samaritan’s Feet and the CIAA is another powerful example of how a caring community can make a positive impact on the lives of our students,” said Sonja Brookins Santelises, Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools. “We are thankful to both organizations for filling a need for our students and providing a great experience they are sure to remember."
The CIAA has hosted Samaritan’s Feet shoe distributions in conjunction with the CIAA Basketball Tournament for seven years, serving approximately 3,500 students, but this is the first time in -person distribution in the tournament host city of Baltimore.
“On behalf of the students, staff, families, and myself, we wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Samaritan’s Feet and the CIAA for the donation of Hope Totes, athletic equipment, and CIAA Tournament Game tickets for our school community,” said Venus Jackson, Principal, Harlem Park Elementary Middle School.
Students will receive a “Hope Tote,” which is an orange drawstring book bag that contains a new pair of athletic shoes, socks, hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, comb, alcohol wipe, mask, and washcloth), and a “Hope Note” with an encouraging message submitted online from Samaritan’s Feet supporters.
Harlem Park Elementary Middle School was selected for this event because a Asst. Community School Director, who served with Samaritan’s Feet in the past, wanted to bring shoes to the school at which he is now working.
Original source can be found here.
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