BY JENN SAMSEL
Keystone Heights RV Resort employees Helen Lavarnway and Vince Esson initiated the “Walking Your Future” Sneaker Drive, successfully collecting 200 pairs of sneakers.
Lavarnway, the resort’s community advocate and event planner, said she was inspired to take action after noticing a student whose shoes were torn and couldn’t afford new ones. Rather than organizing a toy drive, she decided to ask residents of Keystone Heights to participate in a sneaker drive.
“As I looked at these children, it truly broke my heart. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through their minds, and whether they believed they would ever get the chance to build a career or find meaningful work in the future. No child should feel hopeless about their dreams,” she said.
American Legion Post 202 contributed two large boxes of sneakers.
The RV Resort donated $1,500, which helped purchase additional footwear.
Lavarnway delivered the shoes to the high school on December 16.
