New Shoes; For many children, a step in the right direction.

Remember when the light up sneakers came out? or the newest Air Jordans? What about the long laced Converse? No matter what generation or social circle you were part of as a kid, it always seems to come down to who had the coolest, newest shoes. 

For too many children across America, they have never received a NEW pair of shoes, just for them. Studies have shown that when children have uncomfortable shoes, that don't fit them correctly or even are falling apart, they are less likely to pay attention in school, or even attend at all. These children feel like they'll be bullied for their lack of style, or simply are in physical pain because of their improperly fitted hand-me-downs.

Candice Postel, the 2020-2021 GFWC Florida Junior Women's Club President, is on a mission to change this unhealthy situation for so many children across Florida. Her President's Project during her two year term, Kicks for Kids, has provided thousands of pairs of shoes and socks to children of all ages, sizes, and nationalities across the state of Florida. With these new shoes, kids get a boost of confidence to attend and even pay attention in school to better their futures.

At our October General Meeting, the Pasco Juniors invited Candice to talk about her project and collected shoes and socks from our members. Just from this meeting, our club was able to collect 41 pairs of shoes and 103 pairs of socks that were donated to Pasco Elementary School's student clothes closet.

Blessing Our Community, One Bag At A Time

Metropolitan Ministries has been serving the Greater Tampa Bay Area for 50 years and counts on volunteers like those with the Pasco Juniors to continue on with their mission to support those that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Along with COVID-19, came an overwhelming increase in outreach programs needed to support our community. 244,000 individuals were assisted through COVID-19 emergency outreach and assistance programs through Metropolitan Ministries and continue to look for assistance. 

During the GFWC Pasco Juniors September General Meeting, Deborah Seitz came to speak briefly about these life changing programs and assist our volunteers with filling 85 Blessing Bags for Pasco County homeless individuals. Our members and guests grabbed a bag in hand and filled each with essentials like personal hygiene items, snacks, masks, ponchos and more, all of which were donated by our volunteers or local businesses. 

 

To find our more on how you can get involved with the GFWC Pasco Juniors and local volunteer activities, Text "info" to 813-461-3131.

Validating A Child's Living Transition With A Simple Donation

Everyday there are children, right here in the Tampa Bay Area that are forced out of their current living situations and into a whirlwind of foster homes, social workers, and unwanted emotions. For these children they are often picked up from a deemed "unhealthy" situation and told to grab their belongings in five minutes, often shoving items into a garbage bag. 

Children know that trash goes into a garbage bag. Subconsciously, they are throwing their most prized possessions away as their lives are being uprooted. Take a moment to think about what that impact has on a child, and how it will remain with them for the remainder of their lives.

Although the process of removing a child from this inadequate situation can not be changed, Luggage of Love is trying to provide suitcases and luggage bags to these children to lessen that overwhelming pain. They may not realize the difference now, as a young child, but when they are older, they will remember that social worker handing them a sturdy bag to protect their few prized possessions and giving them validation on their transition. 

The Pasco Juniors have collected 30 bags of all shapes and sizes to support these children and plans to continue collecting throughout the year. 

If you have donations for Luggage of Love, please contact Chairperson, Danielle Carr, at gfwcpascojwc@gmail.com.