A new pair of shoes can put a pep in your step, make you run a little faster or put a smile on your face. For a group of Flour Bluff High School students who are members of the Andrew By the Sea Youth Group, they are hoping to make the holidays a little brighter for some Flour Bluff ISD students thanks to the group’s “Soles for Souls” angel project. The project provides shoes and socks for students in need.
“The project is such an inspiration to our youth group because they are helping their fellow students at Flour Bluff,” said Cheryl Hooper, Director of Religious Education for St. Andrew by the Sea Catholic Church.
The Youth Group raised $5,800 through a bake sale for the “Soles for Souls” project. The youth group members then went shopping to purchase as many pairs of shoes and socks as possible all to benefit Flour Bluff ISD students.
“It’s a lot of work but great fun too,” said Hooper. “The Youth really enjoy selecting the shoes for the students.”
In the six years the group has been raising funds and purchasing shoes for the “Soles for Souls project,” the donation has nearly tripled. This year, 194 pairs of shoes and socks were delivered to Flour Bluff ISD. Staff from FBISD campuses were on-hand to accept the shoes. Staff plans to distribute to students prior to the Christmas break as well as keep some on-hand to give-out throughout the school year.
“Our Youth Group and Parish feel very blessed to be able to bring joy to the students who receive the shoes,” said Hooper.