More than 80 pairs of shoes donated during Jaycee's Shoe Project

South Elemetary Special Education Secretary Jana Grisham, kneeling left, along with Jaycees' members Jerid Maddox, kneeling center, and Nick Weatherwax, kneeling right, place shoes on the feet of members of South Elementary's third-grade class as part of the Jaycees' annual Shoe Project. Photo provided

The Kennett Jaycees recently completed its annual Shoe Project, donating more than 80 pairs of shoes to students in the Kennett School District.

According to Jaycee member Jerid Maddox, the club visited the schools on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009.

Maddox said the club had previously took applications to the school counselors, who chose the students they thought would need the shoes. Permission slips were then sent home with the students and, upon returning the slips, shoes were ordered.

Maddox said that the more than 80 pairs of shoes were distributed to student from head start through fifth-grade, with a few being delivered at Kennett Middle School.

Maddox said the project, along with the Jaycee's Good Neighbor Project, will be partially funded through the upcoming New Year's Eve party. Other funds for the projects were provided through donations.

"We appreciate all the donations," Maddox said. "Several businesses donated and a few individuals. It is a very important project.

"Some kids seem like they have hand-me-down shoes. We really enjoy putting shoes on the kids. It makes them happy and we enjoy doing it."

Maddox said the club expresses a special thank you to South Elementary School Counselor Jennifer Nigut for her help in coordinating the project.

"She really helped us get this together," Maddox said.

Since 1959, the Kennett Jaycees have taken an active role within the school system to help parents with the cost of their children's' shoes by furnishing each child who desires a new pair of shoes with a new pair furnished by an outside source.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to future shoe projects can do so by sending monetary donations to: Kennett Jaycees, attn.: Shoe Project, P.O. Box 165, Kennett, Mo. 63857.