(L to R): LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen, event coordinator Mallory Kristjanson, Dana Chief Body of the Blood Tribe Police Service, and Irwin McAdam of the Piikani Nation RCMP at the Shoes for Kids YQL drive on Saturday, August 27, 2022 in Lethbridge. (Photo: J. Goulet-LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Shoes for Kids YQL

New shoes donated for kids in need as part of second annual community drive

Aug 27, 2022 | 1:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – For a young child in school, there is nothing like walking down the halls after summer break with a brand-new pair of shoes.

Unfortunately, not all children have that luxury of being able to start the school year off with a new pair of sneakers. That is where the Shoes for Kids YQL campaign comes in.

Organizers and partners of the initiative held its second annual shoe drive on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at the ENMAX Centre parking lot in Lethbridge. The team collected dozens of brand-new shoes for kids in the need in the local community and surrounding area.

READ MORE: “Shoes for Kids” campaign doubles expectations in first year

Mallory Kristjanson is the event coordinator for Shoes for Kids YQL.

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She said the “goal this year was to reach at least 700 children with brand-new shoes, not only staying within the community of Lethbridge but our surrounding Indigenous communities along with rural communities as well.”

A final count of shoes gathered was not yet available when Kristjanson spoke with LNN, however she said the turnout Saturday morning was very steady.

“We’ve had multiple people coming through with not only cash donations but also brand-new shoes,” she said on-location.

“We had one vehicle pull up with about, I would say, 32 pairs of brand-new shoes today. We’re extremely blessed to see the community support but also even with our first responders who are here serving with us today.”

Residents donated pairs of brand-new shoes for kids in need during the Shoes for Kids YQL drive in Lethbridge on Saturday, August 27, 2022. (Photo: J. Goulet-LNN)

Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh said it is a highlight of his career to attend positive community events like the Saturday morning drive.

“In this case, we’re obviously doing something good for the kids in the community and from my perspective, any investment, any initiative in our kids is an investment in the country and this city as a whole so we are quite excited to be part of this and can’t wait to keep engaging in more initiatives like this,” Chief Mehdizadeh told LNN.

Dana Chief Body, Inspector of Operations with the Blood Tribe Police Service said Saturday marked his first time attending the Shoes for Kids YQL donation drive.

He said, “Coming to events like this in a positive atmosphere is very great.”

“[It’s] great to see the community, just in a different way other than day-to-day calls and stuff like that.”

Chief Body added it was enjoyable getting to touch base and interact with partner agencies.

Various law enforcement agencies were on hand for the Shoes for Kids YQL drive in Lethbridge on Saturday, August 27, 2022. (Photo: J. Goulet-LNN)

Irwin McAdam with the Piikani Nation RCMP echoed Chief Body’s sentiments, referring to being part of the event as “awesome”.

“I go back to when I was a kid, I had parents who could afford to buy new shoes, but I remember the five times I got those in about a 10-year span, that when I got those shoes, man, did I feel on top of the world,” McAdam told LNN.

He added, “You know what I mean? You’ve got confidence, you look great, you feel great and to be able to share that with underprivileged kids who can’t get the shoes like that and we’re able to bring that to them is huge, and I think every kid should deserve to feel that.”

For anyone who missed out on the Shoes for Kids YQL drive in Lethbridge on Saturday, August 27, 2022, the campaign is collection donations all year long. (Photo: J. Goulet-LNN)

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen was also in attendance for the Saturday morning donation event. He said, “Seeing everybody together and working for this cause has been nothing short of amazing.”

Hyggen remarked, “There’s so many negative things out there so to see these positive things come and for the second year, and the work that’s been done, and it’s getting bigger and bigger and will continue forward. As was mentioned before, new shoes for kids is one of the best things when they get to school, and they’ve got their new shoes on.”

The Mayor added that it’s encouraging to see so many groups come together for a cause like this.

Hyggen said, “It’s very humbling and it’s just a great opportunity to have everyone here together for this great cause.”

Pairs of brand-new shoes were donated for kids in need at the Shoes for Kids YQL drive in Lethbridge on Saturday, August 27, 2022. (Photo: J. Goulet-LNN)

The drive took place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fortunately, Kristjanson said those who could not attend but still want to help out can as the team will continue to accept donations following the drive.

Individuals interested in donating to the cause can reach out to the campaign Facebook page or email at shoes4kidsyql@gmail.com. Kristjanson said donations will be accepted all-year round. Additionally, thanks to a new partnership with Lethbridge Family Services, Shoes for Kids YQL will be supporting newcomer families coming to Lethbridge, along with the Angel Tree program.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.