Shoes For Students

Principal Nissa Ellet.

It's not often that teachers and a principal notice a student's shoes. But Nissa Ellet, principal of HETH-WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Harrison County, Indiana, noticed just that. She noticed because many of the children at the school were part of families that were experiencing economic hard times and those families couldn't afford the expense of new shoes when their children's shoes were falling apart.

Ms. Ellet noticed because she and her teachers were having to repair their students' shoes rather frequently - with duct tape and staples. That frequent occurrence was rather telling, letting this principal know that the poverty level had gone up, from the usual 50 percent to 75 percent of students. You see, Heth-Washington Elementary receives the highest amount of students living in poverty than any other school in the county.



Then, Ms Ellet got an idea, since Christmas was quickly approaching, and she used social media to help with her project. She started the "Shoes For Students" campaign with the goal of providing each student with a new pair of athletic students. She estimated that she needed about $6000.

As soon as she posted, donations started pouring in - and then kept pouring in. Donations accumulated to a sum far exceeding the goal, for a total of $17,000. Now, because of this generosity, each student was able to receive snow boots, a hooded sweatshirt, gloves, hats, and chapstick. along with a bit of candy. There were smiles everywhere. For some children, this gift meant that they had the first set of clothes just for them, no more sharing. It was a Happy Christmas holiday, indeed!

Students opening their bags of clothing.

Thanks to this Huffington Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/29/shoes-for-students_n_6367596.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news, and this report from Channel WDRB: http://www.wdrb.com/story/27665593/christmas-comes-early-for-southern-indiana-students-in-need.

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