Drop-In Shoes

Drop-In Shoes

by Mike Olson

Last Tuesday we got new shoes.  It started as a normal day with
school, rain and a breath of relief once the gates opened and the kids
got some time to relax.  They took to their favorite spots, the
foosball table, air hockey, the skate ramps, or the couch in front of
the video games.  The change came when Seth, a quite unassuming 30
year-old, came with 4 large trash bags full of shoes.  Every face lit
up when we saw the shoes. And the question was “Really?”  A quick ten
minutes later, an impromptu shoe store was set up with kids lining up
to pour over the selection.  Ear to ear smiles hung on every face as
they were showing off their band new foot gear. Animated conversations
took place in every corner and couch with the kids discussing the
merits of suede or polished, light or dark styles.

Some might just see this as an act of kindness from Seth the owner of
All Aboard Skate Shop in Puyallup. The truth is it is so much more. To
the students that regular the Youth for Christ Drop In every Tuesday
afternoon, it means that their families won’t have to find money for
needed shoes, kids can have warm dry feet on a rainy day and they know
for a fact that they are cared about.

For more information about The Tillicum Youth and Family Center please email dan@yfctacoma.org.