Jen Dillwith was in Payless Shoesource when she observed a scene that occurs out all too often even in Carson Valley.
"A lady had only enough money to buy shoes for her eldest child and the younger ones got the old shoes," Dillwith said.
Dillwith, a Gardnerville mother of two, went home and replayed the incident in her mind for a couple of days, then went into action.
She's created My SOLE Purpose. Her goal is to obtain 100 $20 Payless gift cards by July 1 to donate to needy children.
"Every child deserves to start school in a new pair of shoes, this is my SOLE purpose," she said.
"I saw that there was a need, and instead of sitting back I am taking it by the reigns and trying to collect 100 Payless shoe cards," she said.
Dillwith has set up a 2-mile and 5-mile walk 7 a.m. June 26 that begins at Minden Park and she's looking for walkers to join her.
Each participant is asked to get five sponsors with at least one gift card each. If someone can't walk, but wants to participate, Dillwith is accepting donations of cash and cards.
She's made arrangements to turn the cards and cash over to Douglas County Social Services to distribute the donations.
"They said there is an absolute need for this in our community. There are children who are in fifth grade and have never had a new pair of shoes. They told me if I brought in 500 cards, they could use them all," Dillwith said.
Dillwith is also looking for a few sponsors who might be willing to open their businesses for bathroom breaks or donate drinks and snacks during the walk.
The route is not definite, but Dillwith expects walkers will circle through Minden and Gardnerville.
DETAILS:
My SOLE Purpose 2-, 5-mile walk to raise money to buy shoes for needy Douglas County schoolchildren, 7 a.m. June 26 at Minden Park. Information, Jen Dillwith 782-3151, e-mail greenerinnevada@aol.com, or visit Dillwith's Facebook page.
