Fred Brock American Legion Post 828, H-E-B continues support of Project Shoes
(By 1st Vice Commander Amanda Parham) — The American Legion is a strong supporter of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program across the country.
In support of one of its pillar programs, Children and Youth, Fred Brock Post No. 828 and H-E-B Operation Appreciation, in cooperation with WSS, provided new shoes to more than 40 JROTC cadets and students from Highlands, San Houston and Breckenridge High Schools during Project Shoes held at WSS’ Walzem Road location.
Students, accompanied by their parent(s) or guardian, were provided with a $100 budget to purchase new shoes along with any other item in the store.
“My cadets and I are excited to have been selected to be gifted new shoes,” said Cadet Lt. Col. Nataly Salazar a senior attending Breckenridge High School. “We are very grateful for the opportunity as only 10 of us were selected out of 150 cadets in the battalion.”
According to Guadalupe Juarez, a campus social worker at Highlands High School, there are students who are struggling and often teased for not having a decent pair of shoes.
“We have many students walk to school and put a lot of wear and tear on their shoes,” said Juarez. “We see the impact of not having a good pair of shoes; not only does it have an affect on their well-being but also their academics.”
Additionally, she spoke of two sisters at Highlands whose mother is terminally ill with cancer and their need for new shoes, which were gratefully provided through Project Shoes.
Nicole Smith, a social worker at Sam Houston High School, had several of her students attend Project Shoes.
“A lot of our kids are underprivileged and need a lot of resources, and their families just don’t have the funds,” said Smith. “Programs, such as Project Shoes, provide an opportunity to meet some of the students’ basic needs. It lessens the financial burden on parents and our students are very appreciative to have been selected.”
According to Post Commander Burrell Parmer, Project Shoes would not be successful without the continued support of donors and partners such as H-E-B.
“Fred Brock Post 828 and our local students continue to be blessed,” said Parmer, who has been a part of Project Shoes since 2021. “Without H-E-B Operation Appreciation, individual donations and annual support from Billy Ray Sheppard, I don’t know if we would be able to secure funding to help our youth.”
To donated towards Project Shoes, contact Project Shoes Chairman Augustus Coleman at 210-605-1963 or contact the post via email: legion.post.828@gmail.com
