About 400 Huntsville children in need will be wearing new shoes when they return to school next week.
Tyler Mann Injury Law played the role of Santa Claus in providing the shoes through its Soles of the Season campaign. The campaign generated about $6,000 in donations helping provide footwear to local students.
Launched in partnership with HEALS, Inc., the Huntsville Havoc, and Academy Sports + Outdoors, the campaign invited local residents to participate in the campaign.
HEALS, Inc. partners with local schools to supply clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and other necessities that help students attend school ready to learn.
At the conclusion of the campaign, Mann hosted a special shopping day at a local Academy Sports+Outdoors location on Dec. 16. During the shopping day, Mann participated in purchasing new shoes on behalf of the campaign, ensuring that children served through HEALS, Inc. would receive properly fitting footwear. The shoes purchased during this event were distributed to local students through HEALS, Inc.’s established network of school partnerships.
“Seeing this campaign come full circle and knowing it directly supported children in our community is incredibly meaningful,” Mann said. “Something as simple as a new pair of shoes can make a real difference in a child’s confidence and day-to-day experience at school, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part in making that happen.”
Mann said during HEALS, Inc., wellness visits to schools “they kind of check out just their (students) attire, their shoes and things and make sure they have the basics of what they need.”
“What I found in talking with people at HEALS that a ton of these kids who come to clinic don’t have footwear,” Mann said. “Their shoes are literally falling apart or they are not the right size. Some of them were wearing sandals in the dead of winter, because that is all they had.”
Mann said HEALS, Inc., would distribute pairs of shoes to students, but did not have enough.
That sparked an effort that began six years ago with the law firm. Mann approached HEALS, Inc., about doing a big shoe drive.
“In meeting HEALS and getting familiar with this need, I found an opportunity to pair with something I was already passionate about,” said Mann, who calls himself “a big shoes guy.”
The effort started with just his law firm, but has since included the Huntsville Havoc and Academy Sports+Outdoors as partners. He credits Huntsville Havoc fans with playing a big part in the donations.
“It continues to get bigger every year,” Mann said. “It’s really been special to watch it grow and see the impact that it’s had.”
Mann said HEALS, Inc., keeps the shoes in a closet, assorted by size and gender.
“When a kid comes to a clinic, they check out their shoes,” he said. “If they need them, they measure their feet. They literally go into a closet and get them a new pair and hand them to them.”
