September 23, 2016
A program created by the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is helping to get Livingston Parish public school students back on their feet – literally – following the devastating flood of August 2016.
Today, the Chamber’s Heart & Sole program received new tennis shoes and donations from the wives of Louisiana Wildlife Agents. These donations – from Leesville, Bunkie, Alexandria and Simmesport – totaling more than $1240.00 will be used to purchase new shoes for the more than 10,000 displaced Livingston Parish students. Heart & Sole has also partnered with a vendor – Oh Pair – to purchase those new shoes at a discount.
Since the flooding event, more than 600 pairs of shoes have been delivered to the Livingston Parish School System. Fleet Feet Sports Baton Rouge has been a major partner in helping to funnel more than 400 pairs of shoes into Livingston Parish through this program. These shoes are then distributed by the school system to children in need.
Heart & Sole was created through the Chamber’s Leadership Livingston class of 2016. Heart & Sole is made up of a group of Livingston Parish professionals who identified a need in the community and were challenged with finding a solution. Members of Heart & Sole partnered with Livingston Parish Counselors to identify children in need. During the 2015/2016 school year, Heart & Sole provided more than 150 pairs of shoes to the Livingston Parish public school system. Heart & Sole is an ongoing project supported by Leadership Livingston Alumni. Those who want to support this particular project can contact Heart & Sole’s Todd Peters at 225-305-5510.
*Special thanks to the wives of Louisiana Wildlife Agents from north Louisiana. This is their 3rd trip to Livingston Parish to assist in relief efforts.