Thanks to a donation of almost $2,000 from the Owensboro Building and Construction Trades Council, 60 OPS students will receive new shoes during the Holiday season. Both Estes and Foust elementary family resource center coordinators are working with a nonprofit group called Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet. Happy Feet asks for donations from local organizations like the Owensboro Building and Construction Trades Council, Local 633 and writes grants to raise money to buy shoes for students.
“Any help we can get from our community partners is much appreciated. The timing of this generous donation couldn’t be better as we head into the winter months,” said Chris Covington, Foust family resource center coordinator.
On Monday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m., Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet Director Jerry Baird will meet with Estes and Foust elementary school family resource center coordinators at Shoe Carnival to buy shoes for students. Those coordinators have identified students who attend their schools in need of some new kicks.
“I want to continue to grow my organization so we can help more students in our region. So far this year we’ve been able to buy over 4000 pairs of shoes for students in need. My job is far from over,” said Jerry Baird, Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet.
The idea for Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet was born in 2009 when founder Jerry Baird, a retired coal miner, read a newspaper article that said some children in his community were attending school without proper footwear. Happy Feet committees are established in participating counties with systems set up to ensure accountability. The Owensboro Building and Construction Trades Council has recently agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for the Daviess County chapter of Happy Feet.
Tax-deductible donations to Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet may be sent to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 633, 3128 Alvey Park Drive West, Owensboro KY 42303. For more information about Happy Feet, contact Jerry Baird at 270-952-2006 or visit happyfeetequalslearningfeet.com.
