Carson City's homeless kids step into spring in new shoes

For some Carson City students, the "step into spring" shoe drive in April will be the first time they've gone into a store and bought a new pair of shoes.

"Watching them dance around in their new shoes is just so awesome," said Kids in Transition Coordinator Jeannette Famoso. "At the same time, it's sad because this is their first time to pick a pair of shoes that didn't come from their brothers, cousins, nephews ..."

Famoso oversees a program of about 400 students classified as homeless because they live in cars, campgrounds, hotels, motels or double up with another family.

Rather than collect shoes to be handed out, Famoso will take about 200 students to Big 5 Sporting Goods, 3727 N. Carson St., to pick out their own shoes and get a professional fitting.

"This way, no one has to walk away with a pair of shoes they really don't like," she said.

For the past three years, the program has teamed with Big 5, which usually provides extra staff for the day.

"We have so much fun," Famoso said. "We have a great time making sure all of the kids are taken care of."

The students are not the only ones who benefit, however.

"To watch parents know they didn't have to spend $30 on a pair of shoes, that's an incredible gift," Famoso said. "Especially if they have more than one child."

The students will be taken shopping and fitted for shoes April 7-9.

Donations may be made to the Shoe Drive Account at the Carson City School District office.

Because Big 5 does not carry small sizes, Famoso will be accepting donations of children's shoes and will deliver them to the elementary schools.

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.