Sandals, Terrace View Elementary Partner to Give Shoes to Students in Need

When Sandals Church's Family Ministries Elementary Director Summer Christopher and her staff reach out to area schools and ask them how the church can help, many school officials are grateful for assistance but, on the spot, aren't sure what supplies to ask for. When Christopher reached out to Terrace View Elementary in the spring of this year, Principal Dr. Joseph Adeyemo knew exactly what to ask for: shoes. "He told me stories of some children who were having trouble in school or missing school due to not having shoes that properly fit them. They were embarrassed or uncomfortable," Christopher said. "When [Chrisopher] asked what Sandals could do to be a resource to us, I told her that, with the state of the economy, we do have some basic needs," said Adeyemo. "I noticed some students were wearing shoes that didn't fit - there might be a size five child in a size three pair." For some time, Adeyemo said he and other school employees would sometimes pay for a pair of properly-fitting shoes for some of the students in need. "There were times when I would run over to Walmart really quickly and pay for them, to keep the students in school," he said. Christopher and the Family Ministries Youth Team recognized the benefit of supplying the school with a cache of shoes from which administrators could draw, if the need arose. "We went and purchased probably 30 pairs of shoes in all different sizes, and we let them know that they could have those shoes to contribute to students in need," said Summer. The outreach efforts are part of the church's objectives, explained Christopher, who shared that Sandals has been working with area schools for the last two years or so. Due to the church's close proximity to Grand Terrace - Sandals' main campus is located at the far end of Mt. Vernon Avenue - it has made a clear effort to get involved in the Blue Mountain community. "We want to let schools know we're here and we're a resource," said Christopher. Sandals has continued to partner with schools like Terrace View Elementary, donating supplies of paper and writing utensils and even Easter baskets. Sandals has also worked with Grand Terrace Elementary in supplying stress balls for students during state testing weeks and also assisting in the school's sixth grade promotion ceremony in the late spring. "They have been a great community resource for our school," said Adeyemo. "We are very grateful. They take initiative and they really look to help those in need in a dignified way. I appreciate their spirit of service - they make sure to provide before a call is even made. I call them 'good neighbors.'"