This weekend approximately 1,200 children received a free pair/s of shoes for the holidays. The Bower Foundation's 8th Annual Christmas Shoes for Kids Fundraiser raised $23,000 to provide shoes to infants, toddlers, tweens, and teens. Future generations can put their best foot forward in 2020 with new shoes on their feet. The Bradenton Real Estate Investors Group once again worked diligently to collect donations, and members of the community supported the cause by contributing on the GoFundMe site.
Representatives from the Southern Manatee Fire Department, Manatee County Sheriff's Office, and the Hernando de Soto Historical Society returned as well to show their support and to take some photos with the kids on Saturday. Families also had an opportunity to see Santa Claus, who greeted everyone with his holly jolly spirit and candy canes. This was a record-breaking year for the Bower Foundation, and the event would not be possible without all of the incredible volunteers. Youth and adult volunteers served from 4P.M. to 8P.M. checking families in at the Walmart on State Road 70 (2911 53rd Ave. E, Bradenton, FL) and escorting them up to the registers. The student volunteers from Rowlett Middle Academy, Bayshore High School, Manatee High School, and Braden River High School showed true leadership skills, and some of them were even there volunteering with their parent/s. The adult volunteers were excellent mentors who ensured that families were taken care of and they answered any questions that parents and guardians had throughout the evening.
Vouchers were given out earlier Saturday morning at the Tabernacle of Higher Learning Christian Center. They were also distributed at Turning Points, an organization that provides assistance for the homeless in Bradenton, and through referrals from HOPE Family Services and The Salvation Army.
After the holidays, students return to school, and The Bower Foundation strives to make sure that students are able to avoid bullying, ridicule, or embarrassment for lack of shoes. One in five US children lives in poverty and thankfully there are a variety of programs that provide toys for Christmas; however, there are many other things that children need. Many kids outgrow their shoes during the year or have worn them out. The Christmas Shoes for Kids Fundraiser seeks to remedy that. Watching young children, even adolescents, pick out shoes with a smile on their face, or seeing how much a simple pair of shoes means to them is a reminder that it takes a village to raise a child. Christmas isn't about the presents, but rather about togetherness. One mother said, "Your actions made a difference for my family in the best way possible," and this is why the foundation hopes to have this event for many years to come.