Shoe Sensation repeats Kicks for Kids

By Ethan Nahté

School’s back in session and parents have been purchasing supplies that aren’t already being provided by the local schools.

Clothing is also a big purchase this time of year. Despite the sales tax holiday the first weekend of August, shoes and apparel are still quite costly. For families on a tight budget, certain items might have to be omitted from a family’s wish list. Many times, the first item crossed off may be shoes.

Mena Shoe Sensation is looking to combat that issue for a second year. Students might be wearing handme-down shoes from an older sibling, shoes that are the wrong size, or they are wearing shoes that the sole is coming loose or the shoes have holes and showing signs of material distress.

It may not seem like a big deal to some, but for a child, or even a parent, it’s potentially embarrassing and makes the child self-conscious. It could also lead to teasing, or even bullying.

More importantly, in cold or wet weather, dilapidated shoes are not only a nuisance with spending a day wearing wet socks but can cause feet issues. According to a 2016 article by Canadian Certified Pedorthist, Brandon Wittig, “When water seeps through your footwear, your skin absorbs the water causing your feet to become waterlogged and wrinkly. The longer your feet are wet, the greater the damage to your skin, including tears and the formation of blisters and deep painful cracks. Depending on where they are located on the foot, these injuries can be painful and may limit your mobility. If you are living with diabetes the injuries can be life changing as they may lead most $3,000 with the help of Nidec. They donated gift cards of $200 each to Mena and Acorn schools. back to exchange the shoes for a different style or size.

“We’re doing that again this year.

Acorn schools brought 11 of their students all at once to the store and let them pick out what they wanted.

Ashworth mentioned that the schools do take advantage of sales such as buy one get one free (BOGO) and similar ad campaigns, and she’s fine with that. As a matter of fact, if you look up Shoe Sensation online, the company has a worthy reputation for giving back to the community on a nationwide basis.

“I have letters passed out through the town to different businesses asking for more,” Ashworth said. “We’re giving it until the end of August because we’re trying to get the gift cards out before school gets too far into the year. I made sure to let everybody know it doesn’t have to be a huge amount. If we just give a little bit, it’s going to add up. I’m hoping I get a few more calls before school gets too far into going.” to serious ulcers that become infected and take many months to heal.”

Donations do not just have to be businesses or churches. Individuals are welcome to donate as well.

Robyn Ashworth, store manager at Mena Shoe Sensation, said, “We did do community work last year through what we call Kicks for Kids, which is where we give the schools some gift cards to use throughout the year to buy kids shoes that are broken, don’t fit, whatever the reason may be.”

In 2022, the Mena store raised al-

We’re also going to include Cossatot schools this year. I already have a $500 donation right now, and we’re working on another one for Nidec that’s going to take place this month.”

Ashworth explained that some school counselors determined which children were in need. In the case of Mena, the counselor would come and purchase the shoes for students in need. She said it was rare that a student or counselor would come

The letter states that all donations are tax-deductible and donors can either give money or come into the store and purchase either shoes or backpacks for any child or children that they would like to help. There will also be a coupon or discount for businesses who are a part of this cause. If a business or church would like for a Shoe Sensation representative to pick up their donation, call to make arrangements.

For any questions, Ashworth invites potential donors to call 479282-1995 to help area school children.

By Richie Lawry

My phone pinged, and I pulled it out of my pocket to look at it. A notification said that a wildfire was raging in Lahaina Town on the Hawaiian island of Maui. My heart sank as I viewed the accompanying photos. Two years ago, I spent a week in Lahaina and fell in love with the people and the area.

Over the next few days, I watched in horror as reports of the devastation came in. This morning the Associated Press reported, “As the death toll from a wildfire that razed a historic Maui town climbed to 93, authorities warned that the effort to find and identify the dead was still in its early stages. The blaze is already the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.”

According to the Maui Fire Update website, “Lahaina Harbor is gone, and the banyan tree is charred (it’s said that if the roots are healthy, it will likely grow back, but it looks burned yet standing).” It was the first bit of possibly good news that I had read. On my visit to Lahaina two years ago, the Banyan tree made an impression on me, and I wrote about it.

On the first morning of my visit to Maui, I dress quietly before dawn. Slipping out the condo’s front door into the darkness of the Maui night, I walk to the parking lot and get into my rental car. It is just a short drive to Kahekili Beach, and I park the car and walk down to the beach in the moonlight. An occasional sneaker wave washes over my feet as I walk south on the sandy beach. It isn’t easy to see in the dim moonlight, so it surprises me when the wave comes farther than usual. As the water washes the sand around my feet, I lose my balance. After a few times, I learn to stand still when the wave comes, not moving until the water has subsided and the sand is stable again.

After walking over a mile, I return to my car. The first rays of morning light are chasing away the darkness. I drive toward Lahaina Town, anxious to see it for the first time. In the first morning light, almost no one is on the streets.