Sentara Health
08/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2026 11:08
Community partnership provides new shoes to over 400 Hampton Roads children
35 Sentara colleagues joined community volunteers at the annual Shoes of Hope event, made possible with support from Sentara Health and Sentara Foundation
More than 400 children in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region,stepped into the new school year with brand-new shoes, socks, and a boost of confidence, thanks to a powerful communitypartnership led by local nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers.
At this year's annual Shoes of Hope event, children and families served by ForKids, a local nonprofit dedicated to assisting families facing homelessness and housing instability, were greeted with cheers, fitting sessions, and thoughtful encouragement.
Hosted by ForKids in partnership with Samaritan's Feet, the event was made possible through support from Sentara Health, Sentara Foundation, Mr. Rogers Windows, and the Mr. Rogers Windows Foundation.
More than 55 volunteers from across the region, including 35 colleagues from Sentara Health, donated their time and good cheer to make the day special, transforming what could have been an ordinary distribution into a memorable celebration.
Children who received new shoes at the Shoes of Hope event pose with their family and orange H.O.P.E. bags at the ForKids Landmark Center in Chesapeake.
"Partnering with ForKids gave us the opportunity to connect with entire families in a trusted and supportive environment," said Amanda Simpson, project coordinator for Community Engagement & Impact at Sentara Health.
"While a new pair of shoes may not be a family's greatest need, it's a meaningful one that brings comfort, confidence, and hope. Seeing volunteers from every organization come together to create that experience for children and their families was incredibly rewarding."
From the moment families arrived at the ForKids Landmark Center in Chesapeake, there was excitement in the air. Volunteers welcomed the children with cheers and applause as they entered the room to be personally fitted for their new shoes. The room quickly filled with laughter as volunteers knelt beside each child, helping them find just the right fit while taking time to talk, encourage, and celebrate each child's new-shoe moment.
For many volunteers, this was more than just a day of service - it was a meaningful experience that truly connected them to the communities they collectively serve.
"At the end of the day, it is about having an interaction where every single person receiving a pair of shoes is being sat with and talked with through the volunteer," said Luke Eberly, associate development officer at Samaritan's Feet."Shoes are how we reach the children."
A Sentara Health volunteer helps a child try on a new pair of shoes during the Shoes of Hope event at the ForKids Landmark Center in Chesapeake.
In addition to the new shoes, each child also received a new pair of socks, a rubber baseball from Mr. Rogers Windows, and an orange H.O.P.E. (Health, Opportunity, Peace, and Education) tote bag to carry home their old shoes while proudly walking out in their new ones.
For many families, the gift represented more than new footwear.
"My mom is going to be so happy!" one child exclaimed while admiring her new shoes.
"The kids love it," said Gerry Rogers, president of Mr. Rogers Windows. "But I can only imagine how the parents feel when they don't have to make a choice between new shoes and school supplies."
The Shoes of Hope event demonstrated the power of community collaboration. By bringing together so many local organizations and community volunteers, the partnership provided more than shoes. It gave hundreds of local children the confidence to start a new school year knowing an entire community is walking beside them.
At the Shoes of Hope event, volunteers from Mr. Rogers Windows connect with a young participant while helping her find a new pair of shoes for the school year.
Sentara Health published this content on August 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 27, 2026 at 17:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]