With the first day of school just weeks away, many Greenwich families are preparing children for the new year with school supplies, clothing, and properly fitting shoes.
For families facing financial hardship, these expenses can force difficult choices.
To help meet this need, the Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund (GDHS Fund) is once again launching its annual Boots & Shoes Program, providing DSW gift cards to eligible Greenwich children ages 5 to 15, so they can start the school year with properly fitting footwear and the confidence to succeed.
Last year, the program provided gift cards to 185 local children, ensuring they entered the classroom feeling confident, included, and ready to learn. With continued community support, the Fund hopes to help even more children this year.
“A new pair of shoes may seem like a small thing, but for a child, it can make a world of difference,” said Blaise Punturo, President of the Human Services Dept Fund.
“When children begin the school year with shoes that fit properly, they walk into the classroom with a sense of belonging and readiness to learn,” Punturo added. “Our donors make that possible — and every year, their generosity helps more Greenwich children start school on equal footing with their peers.”
The Boots & Shoes Program is funded entirely through charitable donations to the GDHS Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Each eligible child receives a $50 DSW gift card, allowing families to purchase shoes that fit their child’s individual needs before school begins.
How to Help:
• Donate online here
• Purchasing DSW gift cards through the program’s Amazon Wish List (also linked from the website above)
• Mailing a check payable to GDHS Fund to:
Attn: Boots & Shoes
Department of Human Services
101 Field Point Road
Greenwich, CT 06830
A donation of $50 provides new shoes for one child. Every contribution helps ensure that local children begin the school year with properly fitting shoes, feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn.
Gift cards will be distributed to eligible families in August, giving children the opportunity to shop for new shoes before the first day of school. For information about eligibility, families can visit the Fund’s website or contact the Department of Human Services directly.
For more information about the Boots & Shoes Program or to make a donation, click here.
The GDHS Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that supports programs and services for income-eligible Greenwich residents. Through community partnerships and charitable contributions, the Fund helps provide essential assistance to children, families, and older adults throughout the year, including the Boots & Shoes Program, Campership Program, Holiday Aid, and other critical human service initiatives.