2nd Annual Back to School Sneaker Drive benefits New Hanover County children

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Back to school usually means shopping for new clothes and shoes. One community is trying to make sure no child goes without a new pair of sneakers this year.

The 2nd Annual Back to School Sneaker Drive kicked off at Portia Hines Park Sunday afternoon from 4-8pm.

Shawn Grady, the event coordinator, works with schools all over New Hanover County to make sure every child has a nice pair of sneakers. He began donating the sneakers to DC Virgo, but has since donated to schools throughout the county.

Grady says many children in the area cannot afford to buy brand new shoes, so he wants to give them something special.

“A lot of kids aren’t able, and their parents are not able, to get them brand new sneakers,” said Grady. “So I try to help out as much as I can to get them a decent pair because kids are kids. Some kids get picked on because they don’t have new sneakers and I don’t want that. We don’t need that.”

At the event people could donate new or gently used sneakers, or sign their child up to receive a pair.

Grady says that last year they donated 250 pairs, and he hopes to give even more this year.