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The Nebraska Children's Home Society, in partnership with Scheels, launched its “Lace Up to Learn” campaign Wednesday. The initiative aims to collect shoes for children across the state before the start of the school year.
Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit Lana Temple Plotz said the effort is not only about shoes but also promoting the organization for families in need.
“The first thing we hope to accomplish is to make sure that the children we work with have brand new tennis shoes to wear on the first day of school,” Temple-Plotz said. “We also want to build partnerships and raise awareness across the state, so more people understand the services we offer. And families in need can come to us for support.”
As part of the campaign, the organization launched the “Retro Walk Challenge,” which encourages Nebraskans to dress in 1980s-themed costumes and post videos or photos using the hashtag #NCHSwalkhchallenge aimed at promoting the donations.
Monica Wells, a career educator and board member at NCHS, discussed the relief the campaign can provide to needy families in the state.
“One of the things I even remember from my childhood is the stress and strain it can put on parents’ pockets to prepare their students with supplies, clothes and shoes, "she said. “This event today has been awesome because it allows us to raise funds and take some of that burden off parents and put shoes on children’s feet so they can have a fresh start to a fresh year.”
NCHS will accept donated shoes through July 25 and will distribute them to families by Aug. 1. More details about the event can be found on the NCHS website.