Shoes for Kids YQL steps up again for students

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 1, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Members of multiple police service organizations will be taking part of this year's Shoes For Kids YQL initiative, with Taber Police Service being the newest addition.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

It is that time of the year again for residents to pull together and help children and youth in southern Alberta get a pair of brand new shoes for their upcoming school year.

For their third year in a row, the Shoes for Kids YQL Foundation is hoping to send hundreds of southern Alberta students back to school this fall with a new pair of shoes.

President of Shoes for Kids YQL, Mallory Kristjanson said during a media availability Friday they were very excited to announced the return of their shoe drive- this time with a few changes.

“Our third annual shoe drive for kids is happening on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. till noon at Dunlop Ford here in Lethbridge,” said Krisjanson.

This year they not only have the support of the Lethbridge Police Service and the Blood Tribe Police Service, but also the support from Piikani RCMP, multiple RCMP detachments across southwestern Alberta and this year they are welcoming the Taber Police Service.

“This goes to show the incredible collaboration that we can have with our law enforcement, we know that day in and day out, including our watch volunteers, these officers are on the front line ensuring the safety of our community, but also engaging with youth and children constantly,” said Kristjanson.

 She said they would not be able to have the amazing support and the connection they have with kids, if it wasn’t for law enforcement.

 Kristjanson said they are very grateful to have the support from every single one of the officers who stand with them to support children and youth with brand new shoes for the school year.

 “We have been able to support over 850 kids throughout our initiative, which is doubling every single year that we have this initiative going. Not only do we see the increase in poverty whether it’s through Lethbridge, but also southwest Alberta, we’re seeing the influx and also the increase of families separating whether it’s after COVID or whatnot, so we’re seeing a lot of single parents and guardians coming forward to utilize our service,” said Kristjanson.

She said she would like to remind those who would like to reach out to the initiative, that shoes for kids does not need any identifying information.

 “We do not need your family’s name – this is also to protect the confidentiality of families who may be from higher functioning families and socioeconomic, instead we just need your child age, their grade, and their shoe size,” said Kristjanson.

 She said they want to honour anyone and everyone who needs a service from shoes for kids. She added that they have seen an extraordinary amount of extracurricular athletes, whether it’s volleyball, basketball, or baseball coming forward to utilize their service.

 “Without these brand-new shoes, a lot of these children would not even be able to engage in extracurricular activities. We have seen not only the self-enhancement of their dignity, but also being able to engage with their peers through extracurricular activity as well, so we were very blessed to announce our third annual shoe drive this year,” said Kristjanson.

She said their goal for this year is to collect over 350 pairs of runners and $20,000. And Kristjanson said if members of the community are unable to attend the show drive on Aug. 19, they are welcome to drop off shoes at the police station or Freddie’s paint, and for monetary donations they can go to any Royal Bank and make a donation in the name of Shoes for Kids YQL or they can also drop them off at the police station.

When it comes to bringing in new partners like the Taber Police Service, Kristjanson said it is an opportunity to expand and to reach more children and youth.

“We have gone as far as the Crowsnest Pass, we have helped many beautiful children Piikane and also at the Blood Tribe and now it just allows us to expand even further throughout southwest Alberta,” said Kristjanson.

Acting Inspector of Operations with the Blood Tribe Police Service, Brian Harmatiuk said that Shoes For Kids YQL is an important event for them to be a part of.

“Anytime we can get involved with the children, whether they’re in grade school, kindergarten or high school it makes a difference, and if we can have a positive effect in their life, they’ll remember it,” said Harmatiuk.

He said members of the community can also drop off donations at the BTPS station if they are unable to participate in the shoe drive in Lethbridge.

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