Loonie Shoes helping combat the barefoot blues

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/11/2010 (5468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Jodi Carmichael saw schoolchildren running cross-country in flip-flops and rubber boots this spring, she knew she had to do something to help.

The kids were students at Ecole Crane, the elementary school that Carmichael’s two children both attend. A few conversations later, Carmichael came up with the idea for Loonie Shoes — and the program has been off and running ever since.

“We have our students bring in their gently-used, nearly-new shoes and we prepare them for resale,” Carmichael said. “Every pair of shoes is sold for a loonie and the proceeds are put towards our end of year celebration called Crane-in-Motion in June.”

Carmichael added that any shoes that are not ultimately sold will be offered to John M. King School in the West End.

A local parent, Andrea Powell, who has two children who attend Ecole Crane, has been helping Carmichael with the Loonie Shoes project since its inception.

“The kids have been so excited about the program. The response has been so overwhelming, that I’ve already run out my big Rubbermaid tubs,” Carmichael said.

The Wildwood Park resident added that the response has been so positive, there will be a Loonie Shoes Winter Boot Sale on Nov. 24 between 3:15 and 5:30 p.m. at the school, located at 888 Crane Ave.

“We want kids to have access to boots prior to the first snowfall,” Carmichael said. “A huge sale will take place at the parent teacher conference in February 2011 and we will continue our shoe collection until that time.”

Carmichael added that members of the community beyond the school population are welcome to donate shoes or attend the footwear sales.
Anna Zonneveld, the principal at Ecole Crane, said the program is tailor-made to fit the needs of the student body.

“We have students from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds at our school. Some families struggle to afford shoes and clothing for their kids,” Zonneveld said.

“I have to note that our parent council have been so wonderful and supportive.  Loonie Shoes is a great service.”

Carmicheal praised the contribution of Canadian Footwear for the project. The retailer donated two $100 gift certificate for a prize draw, as well as advice and information about shoe-cleaning techniques.

“We are giving every child a ballot for the draw, and as an incentive, they will receive another ballot for every pair of shoes they bring in,” Carmichael said.

Parents are advised that organizers are only looking for shoes in sellable condition. These include runners, winter boots, flip-flops, dress shoes, soccer cleats and ballet slippers.

“I think the impact of this program is important as it teaches kids about respect and responsibility and how to think about other people,” Carmichael said.

“It also teaches them about the value of money and about the community banding together. I’m a lunch monitor at the school, which has a large immigrant population, and when I learned about kids running without runners, it just seemed wrong.”

For more information, call Carmichael at 488-7384.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com