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Boots For Kids program kicks off with sorting party


The Boots for Kids program will be donating around 850 boots again this year to northwest Michigan students in need.
The Boots for Kids program will be donating around 850 boots again this year to northwest Michigan students in need.
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Now that fall is here, winter will soon be approaching.

The Boots For Kids program will be donating around 850 boots this year to northwest Michigan students in kindergarten through 5th grade that are in need.

This is something that this program has been doing for the last 15 years here in northern Michigan.

A sorting party was held Saturday with students from Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools' football team and members of the Traverse City's Elks Lodge #323.

"A lot of the schools will not let the students outside if they do not have the proper footwear such as boots, so their recess is inside, which isn't the best," said Donald Schmuckal, Boots For Kids President. "Also kids that don't have the proper winter gear perhaps their self-esteem is not as good as it could be either because they have to be inside and all their friends are outside."

Local organizations will be distributing the boots starting at the end of October.

Along with boots, kids will get socks, a hat and gloves or mittens.

The Elks National Foundation donated a grant of $2,500 to Boots For Kids to purchase needed items.

Schmuckal said it takes about $50,000 to provide boots and other supplies to the students each year.

If you'd like to donate to the Boots For Kids program, they are accepting monetary donations, hats, gloves and/or mittens.

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