WS Chronicle

500 students receive new pair of shoes

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) and Chris Paul Family Foundation, 500 students at North Hills Elementary School (NHES) received a brand new pair of shoes last week.

During a press conference earlier this year, Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough announced that the FCSO would be donating $500,000 to help improve the lives of students at North Hills Elementary School. Kimbrough, who is a native of Winston-Salem, said when former Clerk of Court Susan Frye approached him with the idea to adopt a school, he said it was a no-brainer.

“I said, let’s do it,” Kimbrough said while speaking with The Chronicle last week.

Kimbrough said the partnership with the Paul Family was seamless because he’s known them all his life. NBA superstar Chris Paul is a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder and a native of Winston-Salem. The Chris Paul Family Foundation was founded in 2005 with a mission to help children and families by leveling the playing field in all aspects of life, including sports and education.

“I’ve known Charles and the Paul family all my life. So I called Charles and asked if they would partner with me on this project and he said no problem,” Kimbrough said. “They said they would donate 500 pairs of shoes and here we are today.”

German Garcia, NHES parent involvement coordinator, said partnership with the Sheriff’s office is like a dream come true. He said some people may just see a new pair of shoes, but it means so much more.
“It tells them that we care about them. And when we show them we care for them, they care for us too,” Garcia said. “They start to feel that sense of family and they feel that they belong here and when they start to feel like they belong, they can hold their heads high.”

Before helping members of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the Paul Family and others pass out shoes to students, Superintendent Dr. Angela P. Hairston said partnerships with entities outside the school district are important because learning can often be inspired by the little things, like someone giving a student a book, or a pair of shoes.

“It can be the kindness demonstrated by someone else. It could be a mentor. Things like this are demonstrations of how communities can uplift children in need,” Hairston said. “I think this opportunity will inspire our children and it will show them the caring side of people they see every day.”