WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON

THE CHRONICLE

Over the weekend Carolina Crown, an international drum corps, partnered with Love Out Loud, an organization of 50 churches and non-profit groups, to give new shoes and socks to more than 1,000 children in Forsyth County.

Kimberley Park principal Amber Baker said the organizations coming together will help take some of the stress away from the parents as they prepare to send their children back to school.

“This was a great way to get volunteers into our schools and show our parents and students that we are here for them” said Baker. “Here at Kimberly Park we believe in taking a holistic approach to helping our children and this falls in line with that approach.”

Other schools that participated in the giveaway were Ashley Academy and Easton Elementary.

Carolina Crown representative Jim Williams said the giveaway was part of the organization’s annual Tournament of Champions, which brings the best drum corps in the nation together for a showcase held at BB&T Stadium.

Brown said,  “This year we wanted to expand the event from one day to a weekend of impact.

“Our mission at Carolina Crown is to develop life-long excellence in young people,” he continued. “This year we wanted to make a real impact on the lives of the people here in the community and that led to us partnering with a number of organizations.

“We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of the organizations and volunteers who came out to help. Without them, this would not be possible.”

Director of Love Out Loud Chuck Spong said when he heard about the chance to help with the initiative, he jumped at the opportunity.

“When we began talking to Carolina Crown, Samaritan Feet and United Way about this, we began to see the potential of having the entire community come together,” he said. “We feel strongly about not only the shoes being given away, but making a real impact in the community.”

After helping hundreds of parents mark shoes off their back-to-school shopping list, the organizations returned on Sunday, July 31, to help students in marching bands at Carver, North Forsyth and Parkland high schools.

Before the start of the Tournament of Champions, 400 students received brand new marching shoes from Directors Showcase International, a nationally known distributor of band attire. Carver band director Juan Eckard was filled with joy as he talked about the generous donation.

“Every year we have to turn students away because they just can’t afford it,” said Eckard. “This initiative will help us out a lot. We at Carver Nation are truly grateful for everyone who made this possible.

“This is going to have a huge impact on our kids.”

Samaritan Feet International and the United Way of Forsyth County were also key contributors to the weekend of giving. During the event dozens of volunteers from both organizations washed the children’s feet before giving them new shoes.