Shoes delivered to Boys & Girls Club, more needed

While playing football during recess at Fremont Elementary School on Tuesday, 10-year-old Nathan Rivera intercepted a pass. “I ran it all the way to make a touchdown,” he said. But, to his dismay, he noticed he also had ripped his shoe. By lifting his toes, he could separate the canvas completely from the sole.But his timing couldn't have been better. He and other children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada in need will be receiving new shoes, thanks to a drive coordinated by residents of The Lodge, an assisted-living center in Carson City.Through a program known as the Wisdom Circle, where residents from The Lodge meet with teens from the club, seniors noticed some kids wearing badly tattered shoes.They organized a drive, Sole Mates, to collect 300 pairs of shoes to help the kids in need. On Tuesday, they delivered 125 pairs. “I think that's pretty cool,” Nathan said. “People here have shoes like me. When it's cold outside, it gets through easy. It's nice to have new, clean shoes.”Raynna Jackson, 14, and Chyler Beck, 12, helped unload the shoes.“I think it's cool because a lot of kids need new shoes,” Chyler said. “I think it will be good.”Both girls also participate in the Wisdom Circle. “You get to hear their life stories and they share advice for your future,” Raynna said. Denise Clodjeaux, spokeswoman for The Lodge, said the drive will be extended to try to get closer to 300 pairs of shoes. “Hopefully more people will step up in the next few weeks,” she said. Hal Hansen, director of the club, appreciated the donations. “This is awesome,” he said. “It's fantastic. They identified a huge need for our kids, our community. We have kids who are wearing shoes that are three sizes too big or too small. It's terrible. It's almost heart breaking.”He said the partnership with The Lodge has helped the club. “The Lodge really does a lot for the Boys & Girls Club,” he said. “They don't do it for recognition, they just do it because it's the right thing to do.”Karen Perry, Lodge director, said the benefit is mutual. “It's a win-win,” Perry said. “The seniors feel like they have value and can still give something back.”You Can HelpAll sizes of athletic shoes from youth through adult are needed. Donations can be dropped off at: Fitness for 10, 829 Fairview Dr.; Fitness Evolution, 3456 N. Carson St.; Kaia Fit/Tumbleweeds, 3633 Research Way #104; Boys and Girls Club, 1870 Russell Way; and The Lodge Assisted Living Community, 2200 E. Long St.For more information, call (775) 283-9888.