Karen L. Wooley, Ph.D.
Her nanoparticle research has many applications
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Karen L. Wooley, Ph.D. Her nanoparticle research has many applications |
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Happy feet, happy kids Shoes for less-fortunate children aim of staff member's program By Andy Clendennen
Elinor Nelson sees those reactions quite often. Nelson, a grants specialist in sponsored projects accounting, has started a nonprofit organization called 2000 Feet Inc. The goal is to put brand-new shoes on as many underprivileged children in the St. Louis area as possible. "From the time I can remember being a young teenager, I've always had a heart to reach out and help other people," said Nelson, who has been part of the University community for 23 years. "I wanted to someday have my own charitable organization to fulfill the needs of so many less-fortunate children in the community." So for Nelson, shoes seemed like the perfect solution. She drew her final inspiration while volunteering with a group from her church at a camp for less-fortunate children. From there, she formulated her plan. "I observed that many of the children that came to the camp did not have adequate footwear to participate in the hiking events and the other activities that were available," Nelson said. "It just made me stop and realize -- shoes are something that are easily accessible. It doesn't take a lot of shopping or hassles to get them. And me, I love shoes. "It's so important for a parent to make sure they change the sizes, take their children on a regular basis to get fitted, so they won't develop foot diseases and other foot disabilities due to improper footwear. So I decided that shoes would be a great benefit to so many families, because I see so many children in schools who need just a simple pair of nice shoes."
"Everybody likes something new, and this gives the kids something to look forward to," Nelson said. "It builds their self-esteem. The child actually gets to go shopping and pick out their own shoes, and we just pay for it on the spot. That's the neatest and most emotional part of it. You would be amazed to see the gratitude in the parents' eyes and in the child's eyes. "It's like, 'Wow, I get to go shopping, I have something that I want.' A lot of these families are used to getting hand-me-downs, so we want a different concept and let them pick out something they want." Nelson started the program from scratch in June 2000. She uses the accounting skills required for her University position to apply for grants and keep the books for 2000 Feet, and she also uses the skills she needed when she applied her church, Grace Community Church in Maryland Heights, Mo., for nonprofit tax exemption. But she's had help along the way. Former St. Louis Cardinal All-Star Ray Lankford and his wife, Yolanda, have been very helpful with financial support of the program. In fact, Lankford, who now plays for the San Diego Padres, has been the celebrity chair of the organization for the past two years. Several local businesses and churches also have pitched in with support. The program has grown and now has a board of seven directors, none of whom receives a salary. Everyone benefits. During one semester, 2000 Feet purchased shoes for a family with eight children who were wearing sandals to school when the outside temperature was 20 degrees. The largest family benefiting from Nelson's efforts included 12 kids, who were recently released from various children's homes. To help fund-raising efforts, the organization holds an annual Walk-A-Thon. In August, the event raised $5,700. Amanda Arnold, a 6-year-old whose mother, Pat, also works in sponsored projects accounting, has been the grand-prize-winner for the past two years in terms of raising the most money. Nelson also counts her husband, Antwine, among those who lend invaluable support. In the end, though, it's all about the kids. Generally, 2000 Feet takes the children shopping between August and May, when most kids are in school. "The majority of our recipients have come through word-of-mouth, requests from our Web site and the radio," Nelson said. "We also contact school social workers and counselors in low-income schools to offer our services." So far this year, 2000 Feet has served 53 children. Last semester, 2000 Feet reached out to 110 children, most of who were referred by Big Brothers Big Sisters, Our Little Haven and West End Academy. Numerous children in the St. Louis City Public School District also benefited. And if Nelson has her way, that number will continue to grow over the next few years, with joining United Way a definite possibility. "Our goal right now is 150 kids per semester," Nelson said. "But our goal after five years is 2,000 kids a year. That might be pushing it because we're still learning as we go, but if it's not five years, it might be six, seven or 10." |
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