Volunteers from Indianapolis-based LIDS Sports Group and its parent company, Tennessee-based Genesco Inc., will set up a mock shoe and hat store on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at College Park Elementary School in Indianapolis, IN to personally fit 450 children in need with new, properly fitting shoes and warm knit hats just in time for the holiday season.
More than 130 of the company’s corporate office employees, including LIDS Sports Group President Ken Kocher and co-founder Scott Molander, will be joined by United Way of Central Indiana Senior Vice President of Resource Development Angela Dabney. Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers will also be in attendance, as well as fellow teammates Cory Redding, Scott Lutrus, Griff Whalen, Shawn Loiseau and Matt Overton, to interact with the children and distribute t-shirts donated by the Colts organization. “It is exciting to be a part of such a well-established program here in Indianapolis, which helps make the holidays brighter for hundreds of children annually,” said Powers.
“As a key player in the sporting goods industry, those employed by LIDS Sports Group know the importance of leading by example through social responsibility. The Cold Feet, Warm Shoes and Hats program is a great model for this, as it is community collaboration for those less fortunate in the areas in which our employees live and work,” said Kocher. Nearly 3,000 Indianapolis students from eight different public schools have benefited from this event since 2005, when it was expanded to Indianapolis shortly after Genesco acquired LIDS.
In its 23rd year overall, the Cold Feet, Warm Shoes and Hats program is Genesco’s signature community outreach initiative which focuses on providing disadvantaged youth with the power of choice, the same respect and service they would receive at any of the company’s more than 2,440 retail stores nationwide, as well as the practical solution of properly fitting footwear and headwear.
Volunteers will participate in a variety of roles ranging from greeting each child to personally fitting them with their choice of new footwear, in addition to distributing headwear. Students will also be served a nutritional snack to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
