Hundreds Of Mayes County Kids Get All New Shoes

Craig Day, News On 6

PRYOR, Oklahoma -- An early Christmas present came to some Mayes County kids. The gifts aren't wrapped up in a bow, but they are laced up and ready to run.

At the Odd Fellows temple, there are a lot of kind hearted fellows. And things there are about to get busy.

One by one, they were giving away shoes to kids from all over Mayes County, through its shoes for kids program.

"Total number of shoes was 754 pairs of shoes," said volunteer Carman Justus.

"Probably three thousand pair in the last eight years," said volunteer James Holder.

That's a lot of shoes. This year, there are pink ones, blue ones, high tops, shoes with camo, you name it.

The Odd Fellows raise money all year, and get a list of shoes needed from area elementary schools. They shop and then the kids come to try them on, and pick them up.

"Most of them seem overjoyed," Holder said. "They're happy to have something on their feet that keep their toes warm."

Not only does it warm the toes, it also warms the heart.

"This year I had a little boy come tell me that the shoes he had on wasn't any good and he said those were the shoes we gave him last year, and he said those were the first new pair of shoes he's ever owned," Justus said.

That's why they do it. That's why all the kids are here. That's what making a difference sometimes looks like.