No child should have to be cold. Imagine watching as your friends play in the snow at recess, but you can’t join them because you can’t afford winter boots.
Through the Mothers for Porter County Kids winter boot drive, you can help make this a warmer winter for needy children in our community.
“The number of donations are down this year, while boot prices are up,” said Erin Burton, co-founder Mothers for Porter County Kids. “We need to purchase over 500 pairs of boots. We have been trying to find a store which will offer a discount for such a huge order, but have not been successful so far.” To make matters worse, the organization is having trouble finding and buying all of the boots needed.
Over half of the boots are purchased from the Valparaiso Walmart each year. “They have been helpful in finding the sizes the children need, helping out with grants and allowing us to collect donations outside of the store,” said Burton. The Valparaiso Target will only allow the group to purchase 50 pairs of boots at full price.
Monetary donations to purchase boots are greatly needed. A donation of only $25 will provide a new pair of winter boots to one needy elementary school child in our community. Monetary donations can be sent to: Mothers for Porter County Kids, P.O. Box 185, Valparaiso, IN 46384.
Collection sites to drop off new winter boots are located at Burke Costanza & Cuppy, 156 Washington Street and Select Community Federal Credit Union, 302 Silhavy, both are located in Valparaiso. All sizes of new winter boots are needed.
Founded in 2005 by Erin Burton, Nicole Rossmann and Laura Steele, Mothers for Porter County Kids is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization providing new winter boots to less fortunate elementary age children in Porter County.
For more information email mothersforportercountykids@comcast.net or call 219/241-8030.
Photo: Kate Steele, Lillian Burton, and Abby Steele accept donations outside of the Valparaiso Wal-Mart store on October 17th and 18th . All donations will be used to purchase winter boots for needy elementary school children in Porter County.