GCSD9 Partners with All God's Children Shall Have Shoes

Granite City, Ill., December 6, 2024 – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 partnered with All God's Children Shall Have Shoes for its annual event Friday at Famous Footwear in Alton Square Mall.

All God's Children Shall Have Shoes is an annual free socks and shoes program for local schools in the metro area. Over 130 students from Frohardt, Grigsby, Lake, Maryville, Mitchell, Prather and Wilson Schools participated in the event.

"We want to show the kids that people love them, care about them, and excited to help them pick out new shoes," said Sue Wooden, All God's Children Shall Have Shoes Administrator. "We are so happy to be able to help the community and get those shoes on the kids for Christmas."

Volunteers met the students to size and assist them in picking out a pair of shoes and a package of socks to take home. Students also received a cookie from The Cookie Factory.

Buses were donated from First Student, Inc. to transport the students to and from Famous Footwear, while each school provided social workers and staff to escort students.

"This is such a great event that All God's Children Shall Have Shoes puts on for our students," said GCSD9 Superintendent Dr. Don Harris. "It's a community event for those in Madison County who come together to support the students of Granite City."

Volunteers included GCSD9 administrators and Social Workers, City of Granite City, Granite City Fire Department, Granite City Police Department, First Student Inc., Madison County Sheriff's Office, Madison County Coroner's Office, Weber Chevrolet, Alton Fire Department, Alton Police Department and Illinois American Water.

All God’s Children started in the late 1960’s when a group of Illinois Bell utility workers saw some children walking home from school with holes in their shoes. They realized there was a need in the community. The men sought donations from co-workers and were able to purchase 20 pairs of shoes that year for area children.

For information on making a donation to All God's Children or if interested in volunteering, please contact Wooden at sue.kidsshoes@gmail.com. 100% of all donations go directly to purchasing shoes and socks for the children.