Residents Raise $29,000 for Annual Sneakers for School Initiative.

Lancaster, PA – Willow Valley Communities raised $29,000.00 to donate 1,100 pairs of brand-new sneakers and socks for children facing adversity in the Lancaster area.

Willow Valley Communities coordinates this initiative every year to provide new sneakers to students experiencing homeless situations throughout Lancaster in time for the first day of school. A new pair of sneakers helps to maintain the dignity of these children and gives them the opportunity to walk into school their first day feeling successful, even though they are facing very difficult circumstances.

Sneakers for School benefits Families in Transition, Transitional Living Center (TLC), Community Action Partnership (CAP), the Domestic Violence Shelter, the YWCA of Lancaster, Milagro House, Pediatric Specialty Care, and Clare House.

Willow Valley Communities’ Community Outreach Committee, led by Chairperson Kathleen Kreider, coordinated the effort. “Our goal with the donation of new sneakers is to provide some encouragement and excitement to the children as they return for the new school year,” she explained.

Willow Valley Communities started Sneakers for School in 2015. Since then (With a pause in 2020 because of COVID) Willow Valley Communities residents have raised $218,000 and donated close to 9,000 pairs of sneakers to Lancaster children in need in Lancaster.

Willow Valley Communities partners with Shoe Carnival to purchase the sneakers and socks at a discount.