Sadie and Quinn are 14 year-old, eighth grade twins. Julie, their mom, wanted to find a project for them to learn about ways to give back: she had already volunteered with the National Charity League with Sadie and Quinn’s older sister, Aisley, and wanted to find a local charity that fit the twins’ interests. They are both athletes – Sadie is in water polo, and Quinn plays baseball – so were thinking about helping underserved kids with accessing sports programs.
Julie first learned about Shoes That Fit while reading a brochure in the checkout line at her local Nordstrom. She read that Nordstrom is a longtime Shoes That Fit partner and helps raise funds and donates new athletic shoes to kids in need because their current pair don’t fit them properly, or are hand-me-downs that are so old they are literally falling to pieces. “It hit my heart! I shared the story with Sadie and Quinn and they felt like it would be a great cause to get involved with,” said Julie. “My mom was a teacher and she remembers seeing a kid with the soles of his shoes flapping off. His mom told him, ‘We need to wait until payday, and then we’ll get you shoes.’ Julie says, “My mom, along with other teachers, banded together to buy him a new pair of shoes.”
The twins started an online fundraiser, and with their community’s support, raised enough money to help 30 kids with brand-new sneakers.
Julie hopes the twins will learn the benefits of giving back. She says, “The lesson we are trying to teach Sadie and Quinn is that when people are less fortunate, less blessed, and you are in a position to help, you do so. Giving is the most rewarding thing a person can do.”
The twins shared their thoughts for the kids who receive the shoes:
“We can’t wait for the kids to feel the happiness and excitement that comes with getting a new pair of shoes! We are so happy to be a part of that.” – Sadie
“New shoes make you want to run, jump, and play. We are so excited for the kids to get their shoes and have so much fun playing in them.” – Quinn
Thanks, Sadie and Quinn, for bringing shoes to kids so they can learn, play, and thrive!
