Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet

Thu, 05/04/2017 - 10:50am — Diane Dyer

Happy Feet was created in 2009 by Jerry Baird, a retired coal miner from Union County, KY. In the beginning, Jerry reached out to his local school superintendent in hopes of receiving permission to create a committee that worked directly with students in the schools. After receiving permission, the first committee members were recruited and Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet was born.
While there are several variations of Happy Feet the original model remains the most popular. Each committee works closely with the FRYSC Directors to determine which students are in need of shoes. Elementary age students, with the help of committee members, community volunteers, and representatives from a large regional shoe store are allowed to choose a style of shoe they prefer and the shoes are professionally fitted to ensure a proper size.
In May of 2012 Happy Feet was incorporated and has acquired 501c3 non-profit status. The corporation currently includes 14 areas/counties in Western and Central KY: Boyle Co/Danville, Caldwell Co, Christian Co, Crittenden Co, Daviess Co, Graves Co/Mayfield, Henderson Co, Hopkins Co/Dawson Springs, Livingston Co, Marshall Co, Muhlenberg Co and Ohio Co. Happy Feet has provided over 18,000 pair of shoes since its inception.
The local Happy Feet committees are created through the efforts of community members in each area. After some initial help from the corporation, the committees are responsible from coordinating not only their fund raising efforts but marketing within their community.
While it has been working to help students for a handful of years, Happy Feet knows its job is far from over. There will always be children who need not only the comfort a proper fitting pair of shoes provides but the emotional boost they receive when they wear their new shoes. We will continue to find ways to get more new shoes on more kids, knowing that our job is never done. Please consider joining us in our endeavor and helping us make a child’s life better, one “sole” at a time. We are pleased to announce the formation of a Happy Feet chapter here in Butler County, KY. We welcome the Butler County Family Resource, Youth Services Center and Morgantown Mission as the newest partners to Happy Feet.

Thank you,
Jerry Baird - President Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet [email protected] 270-952-2006
http://www.happyfeetequalslearningfeet.com

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. Psalm 103:13

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