Sneaker Drive the right fit for the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle

Julie Swann stood in front of the 212 pairs of shoes and hundreds of socks that the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle had just dropped off at the Twig July 21.

The Twig, located at 9706 State Road 64, Bradenton, is a nonprofit that has served the foster care community since 2016, at first through its Venice store before adding its East County store in 2021.

The stores resemble a boutique where toddlers through young adults can come to "shop" once a month, receiving seven items of clothing and shoes absolutely free.

Swann was so touched by the Twig's mission that she originally began hosting her own Sneakers Drive each year, before last year when she began sharing that responsibility with the 124-member Lake Club Women's Giving Circle, of which she is a member.

From July 14-31, the giving circle will collect sneakers and donations for its “Sneakin' Back to School” Sneaker Drive. Before the final day, the club hopes to donate 400 pairs of shoes.

"I saw a unique opportunity,' Swann said of starting the sneaker drive. "Many of these kids have been in horrible circumstances. Some arrive in care with all their things in a trash bag."

She knew a lot of foster kids can't afford new shoes or sneakers to wear to school. 

"Shoes are not cheap, and kids can outgrow them in three months," Swann said.

Photo by Jay Heater

She also knew that one of the most important times of year to have new shoes was at the beginning of the school year.

Swann was asked about her favorite memory when it came to finding shoes for the first day of school.

"I can literally remember my dad (Roger O'Donnell) taking me shopping when I was 14," she said. "He didn't like to shop. But there were these black leather velvet oxfords, a cool version no doubt.

"Even at that age, I was adamant."

She explained that she had to wear a school uniform and that shoes were the only form of self-expression in terms of attire.

However, the particular pair of shoes they wanted couldn't be found. Her father didn't want to spend time in one store, and certainly not a string of stores.

"He sucked it up," she said. "I wanted them and he took me to stores to find them. I We went into seven stores before we found them, and it was the best. When I went to school, I was rocking my uniform."

Swann was accompanied to the Twig by Jennifer Alokeh and Kathy Hall of the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle. They also remember their searches for popular shoes before the start of the school year.

"I was a cheerleader so I wore red Converse," Hall said. "But parents only bought dresses (to wear to school) so my favorite shoes were blue suede shoes. Oh my!"

Alokeh remembered searching for Nikes and Reeboks.

"The girls wore high-tops with velcro," she said, smiling at the memory. "The first day, you always wanted to see what the girls were wearing."

Photo by Jay Heater

Lindsey May is the Twig program coordinator at the East County outlet. Like the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle members, she knows the importance of shoes when school starts.

"I wore uniforms, so shoes were the only way to express myself," May said. "I liked simple Keds in simple colors. They had no support, and they didn't do anything, but it was a way to express yourself. When I was 14, it was about self-image. It is even more important in today's world."

May knows that children in the child welfare system want to express themselves as well. But she said the likelihood of those children bringing the things they need with them when they go into the care system is slim.

"When they are being placed, they grab their PlayStations or their phones," she said.

May said when the children become more relaxed in a safe environment, their physical appearance begins to change, such as putting on some healthy weight, and they begin to care about their appearance.

"The financial impact of that can be huge," May said.

The Twig helps them through the transition by providing them with the clothes they want and need. The Twig served 403 children between the two stores in June.

"I assume 403 pairs of shoes went out the door," May said. "Going back to school, they want school clothes and shoes."

May said it is important they have some nice items when the school year begins.

"Kids can be cruel," she said. "Make them comfortable and it helps their body self-image. In confidence, new shoes can work wonders. We want them to feel they can conquer the world."