The Chula Vista Police Department is assisting students in area public schools by conducting their 9th Annual School Resource Officer Non-Profit Shoes and Socks Give-Away.
The actual shopping takes place in September but monetary donations are starting now.
“It’s for students under 18-years-old,” said Chula Vista Police Department’s Lt. Chris Kelley.
”They get to see the officers in a different light.” The officers help the kids shop.
The police are requesting donations to provide shoes and socks for 500 youth.
The police department works closely with school nurses and principals, as well as South Bay Community Services counselors to identify children who live, go to school or attend counseling services in Chula Vista and who need shoes and socks.
“South Bay Community Services has partnered with the Chula Vista Police Department and their school resources officers since the onset of this beautiful event,” said SBCS’s director of communications & external affairs Patty Chavez. “As you can imagine children outgrow their shoes quickly and shoes can be expensive.”
Chavez outlined the need for this give-away.
“Many of the families we serve do not always have the means to keep up with this need and our children then attend school with shoes that are ill fitting or literally falling apart. SBCS’ Youth Prevention and Intervention Team partners with CVPD by identifying and connecting with families in need referred by elementary school staff, as well as working alongside CVPD the morning of the event.”
Sept. 21, at 8 a.m., identified children will be invited to Solo Shoes, located at 664 Palomar St., #1102, in Chula Vista, to shop with an officer and select their new shoes and socks.
Monetary contributions can be sent to: Chula Vista Police Department, ATTN: Officer Tait, SRO Unit, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Checks should be made out to “Chula Vista Police Foundation.”
The Chula Vista Police Foundation is a 501 (c ) (3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible.
