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Bettye Doggett, of Saxon Shoes' Richmond store, fits Lauren Lindsey, 4, checks out her new shoes as Rodney Spencer helps at Saxon's shoe giveaway Monday. |
BY JENNIFER NEFF
Brightly colored balloons tied to brown bags from Saxon Shoes lagged behind children as they ran, screaming and giggling, through the store.
"I want that!" said 2-year-old Delaysia Foster as she pointed to a pair of chocolate-brown Mary Janes decorated with orange flowers.
While girls wearing new checkered hot-pink-and-black Vans slip-ons and boys with the latest high tops zigzagged through parents and workers, Delaysia posed in front of the giant mirror admiring her new kicks.
Children and their families flooded Saxon Shoes' new store in the Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre Monday for a free shoe giveaway.
Saxon's doors were open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. while close to 125 children from low-income families filtered in and out.
"We're just really excited to come and be a part of Fredericksburg," said Amanda Weiner, special projects coordinator for Saxon Shoes. "What better way to brand ourselves in the community than to help out?"
The giveaway helped introduce the Weiner family's business to the community before tomorrow's scheduled soft opening at noon.
Saxon Shoes approached Rappahannock United Way to lend a hand--or foot--to the community.
"It's a way that Saxon Shoes can make a footprint in the community," said Janel Donohue, vice president of marketing and development at Rappahannock United Way.
Olde Forge Junction, Hope House and local Head Start programs nominated families from the area.
"This is so great. Kids are picking out their own shoes and are so excited," said Donna Karlovich, Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area program specialist at Rappahannock United Way.
Children invited to the event ranged from newborns to third-graders.
Fernando Rodriguez, 8, tried on a couple of pairs of shoes before picking a pair of light-up sneakers.
"I like my new shoes because they are cool outside and they fit me right," Fernando said.
Not only were children delighted to have new footwear, so were their parents.
"It's helping out a lot, especially with school right around the corner," said Stafford County resident Teena Brown, whose son and three daughters were fitted for shoes.
The shoe giveaway is a long-standing tradition in Richmond that the Weiners wanted to bring to Fredericksburg.
"A customer walked into my father's store and was short a couple dollars. My grandfather told him not to worry about it and gave him the shoes," said Gary Weiner, owner of Saxon Shoes.
Gary Weiner's parents, Jack Weiner and Gloria Weiner-Adams, opened the first store in 1953.
Since then, Saxon Shoes has been footwear- and community-oriented.
"As long as we have shoes and there are kids in need, we'll always be there to help," Gary Weiner said.
Jennifer Neff: 540/374-5000 ext. 5617
Email: jneff@freelancestar.com
