More than 60 local kids will march through the snow with warm feet this winter, thanks to Greater Saint John REALTORS®.
In November, the Saint John Real Estate Board launched a REALTORS Care® “Winter Boots Camp” to provide new, high-quality boots to local needy children. As kids came and went by the bus load, REALTORS® and the staff of Green Lee Shoes, a well-known local business, spent two days measuring feet and fitting for boots. A total of sixty-one kids from the Joshua Group left the store with a brand-new pair of winter footwear.
The Joshua Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for over 100 at-risk children in the Greater Saint John area. Earlier this year, Saint John REALTORS® supported the organization by contributing to the purchase of a headquarters where the kids can get clothing, warm meals, and the opportunity to develop the skills they need to ensure a bright future.
“We were happy to contribute to the group’s dream of having their own community centre,” said Jason Stephen, President of the Saint John Real Estate Board. “After learning more about the organization, and the kids they support, we decided we wanted to do more.”
The kids wore big grins as they boarded the bus with their new boots. They showed their appreciation before they left by inviting members of the Board and the Green Lee Shoe staff on the bus for a big cheer.
“Many of these kids come from single-parent homes in priority neighbourhoods where there often isn’t enough means for the basic necessities, let alone a new pair of boots,” said Bobby Hayes, founder of the Joshua Group. “Without this donation, many of these kids would have gone without this winter. We are very thankful for the support and generosity of the REALTORS® in our community.”
Pictured (top): REALTOR® volunteer Laura Peacock takes a moment to pose for a photo with Green Lee Shoe owner, Steve Green (left) and Joshua Group founder, Bobbi Hayes (middle).
Pictured (left): Joshua Group kids eagerly await their turn as a Green Lee staff member fits one little boy with a new pair of winter boots.
