Local nonprofit helps Mahoning Valley students find right fit, step into new shoes
Around 15 years ago, Cathy Crawford started a non-profit organization called Soles of Luv to supply new shoes and socks to the children of the Mahoning Valley.
She was inspired to create Sole of Luv after learning students were wearing ill-fitting footwear to school in Youngstown.
As an advocate for helping others in need, Crawford and fellow co-founders jumped on the chance to bring the shoes and socks to the students.
“I’m so fortunate to be able to impact the lives of children, all while partnering with some of the most passionate and driven men and women on our leadership team and those who volunteer their time and effort to our cause,” Crawford said.
Crawford and fellow Soles of Luv volunteers work with Mahoning Valley school administrators and teachers for the program.
“Our reward is watching their little faces light up, and seeing their smiles,” said Crawford.
Volunteers come in to participating schools across the Mahoning Valley, including Youngstown, Boardman, Columbiana, Canfield, Austintown, Warren and Lisbon.
The Soles of Luv shoe-fitting process starts with volunteers measuring students during school visits.
“What we normally do is we usually set up a date to go in and we measure the children, and then we go back. Usually it’s two days later after we fill all the sizes, fill the order with the socks, and then we fit them with their new shoes,” she said.
Kelsey Klim at Joshua Dixon Elementary in Columbiana described Soles of Luv as a “far-reaching and long-lasting” program for students.
Last year, FirstEnergy employees helped out Soles of Luv, according to Emily Miller, a FirstEnergy employee and member of the company’s Women in Leadership group.
“The FirstEnergy Foundation also matched employee donations, making our impact even greater,” said Miller. “Our generous employees collected money and shoes to help put sneakers on the feet of more than 50 deserving children.”
All monetary donations sent to Soles of Luv go directly towards the purchase of new shoes, socks and other supplies for children in need.
For more information, visit the Soles of Luv website, follow Soles of Luv on social media or send a message to solesofluv@gmail.com.
