GCSD9 Partners with All God's Children Shall Have Shoes

Granite City, Ill., December 4, 2025 – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 partnered with All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes for its annual event Thursday at Famous Footwear in Alton Square Mall.

All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes is an annual program that provides free socks and shoes to students in local metro-area schools. This year, more than 130 students from Frohardt, Grigsby, Lake, Maryville, Mitchell, Prather, and Wilson Schools participated in the event.

“Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces is exciting, and it’s someone special they can have,” said Sue Wooden, All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes administrator. “We are thankful for all of our sponsors and volunteers who helped make this event possible.”

Volunteers met with students to size them and assist in selecting a pair of shoes and a package of socks to take home. Students also received a cookie and a pencil in a to-go bag.

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.

“We are very grateful to All God’s Children for Shoes for thinking of us during this holiday season and for all they do for our students,” said GCSD9 Superintendent Dr. Don Harris. “It warms my heart each year to be part of this event and to see our students walking out with new shoes on their feet.”

Volunteers were comprised of GCSD9 administrators, staff, and social workers, as well as representatives from Church Women United in Illinois, the City of Granite City, the Granite City Fire and Police Departments, First Student Inc., the Madison County Sheriff’s and Coroner’s Offices, U.S. Steel, and Weber Chevrolet.

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.