Clover school kickoff includes new kicks for students in need

Clover School District’s annual back-to-school kickoff event Aug. 14 includes backpacks, supplies and even new kicks.

Steppin’ High, a Rock Hill-based nonprofit formed in 2008 to give people in need shoes, will give a new pair of sneakers and socks to children identified by the district as in need.

“We size their foot and bring a bunch of shoes in, always new, and give them a pair of sneakers and socks,” said Linda Godbold, president and founder of Steppin’ High. “We always run out so we give gift cards to purchase their shoes at Payless.”

Steppin’ High works with the Clover and Rock Hill districts throughout the year putting shoes on children’s feet, as well as community organizations. The nonprofit also provides work boots to men at the homeless shelter in Rock Hill. In seven years, the group has put 4,800 shoes on York County residents’ feet, 4,500 of those to children.

At last year’s Clover event, Steppin’ High provided 234 pair of shoes to students and another 97 pairs to Clover students throughout the 2014 year. The group also gave 385 pairs to Rock Hill children and 109 pairs to other organizations in 2014. It gave out 825 pairs total last year.

Godbold has seen children come to the group wearing shoes too big, too small, with holes and even no inner sole.

“If you’re feet hurt, your whole body hurts,” she said. “Kids wear their shoes out so bad.”

Her drive to fit students with shoes and socks come from student reactions saying, “I can finally run at gym class. I can finally run at recess,” she said. “When you put those shoes on those kids’ feet, and see those kids and parents faces, that does it.”

She said she can’t believe how many children say they have never owned a pair of socks or a new pair of shoes. Godbold said most of the children have second-hand shoes.

According to steppinhigh.org, “Average cost per child in 2014 for one new pair of sneakers and two pairs of socks was less than $17.”

Steppin’ High runs solely on volunteers and monetary donations, Godbold said, because Payless ShoeSource has worked a good deal with the group.

“All of the money goes to pay for for shoes and socks,” she said.

Bryan Dillon, public information officer for Clover School District, said school supply donations are pouring in. Nearly 400 backpacks stuffed with supplies were recently donated in addition other supplies given at the drop-off points.

“We’re doing very well right now,” he said.

The back-to-school event is open to the community 5-7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Memorial Stadium. About 500 book bags with school supplies are expected to be distributed. Parents and students also will learn about resources and get information about transportation, Connected Classrooms and more, while doing activities such as face painting, games and munching on popcorn.

The Clover High School football scrimmage game is at 7:30 p.m. against Hunter Huss. Concessions will be half price, and each school will have a tent to provide information and give out supplies.

School supplies may be dropped off at Clover school district office, 604 Bethel St., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Clover Community Bank, 124 Old N. Main St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Clover Community Bank-Lake Wylie, 5196 Charlotte Highway, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Clover school kickoff includes new kicks for students in need."