Kids with Sole donates 2,000 pairs of shoes to YAI
Thanks to Kids with Sole, Youth Action International staff in Liberia have been delivering thousands shoes to residents in Monrovia for the past two weeks. The donation has created enthusiasm in the community, and crowds of people gathered to receive a pair of tennis shoes. This news comes in advance of the Kids with Sole “Steps in the Right Direction” fundraiser to be held January 10th in Mamaroneck, New York. The fundraiser will be a walk-a-thon, with proceeds benefitting YAI.
One year ago, the Kids with Sole, a Rye Neck High School chapter of Youth Action International located in Mamaroneck, New York, asked Kimmie Weeks what they could contribute to children in post-war Liberia. He answered with one simple word, “Sneakers! In response, Kaila Pedersen, now in the 12th grade, formed Kids with Sole, an intergenerational project that worked with both young people and adults to collect sneakers for impoverished Liberian children. Kaila explains, “Sneakers are important sanitation barriers that stop the spread of disease, prevent injuries and provide structural support for growing children.” Following Kimmie’s philosophy that promotes youth leadership, Kids with Sole members began shoe collection campaigns throughout their community. “We have had a great experience, but we still need more sneakers – because our ultimate goal is 10,000 pairs,” says Kaila, adding, “Every pair counts.”