Boots, socks and love
The Windermere Foundation-Coeur d'Alene put new boots and socks on the feet of hundreds of children for the 2022-23 winter season. From left, Mathew Hash, assistant manager, Big 5; Alison Roberts and Luke Manifold, agents Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty; Jake McDonald, assistant manager, Big 5; Val Smith, agent Windermere; Matt Jacob, store Manager, Big 5; Vicky Houle, Rhonda Frisbie, Larry Frisbie, agents Windermere; Owen Hughes, assistant manager, Big 5.; Lavonne Vinson, Freda Campbell, and James DeShazer, Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene.
COEUR d'ALENE — For the 27th year, the Windermere Foundation-Coeur d'Alene put new boots and socks on the feet of area children. The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene, for the 24th year, was the major donor.
Since 1996, about 15,000 pairs have been purchased by the foundation and distributed to eligible area children in 25 local schools and 12 family support programs.
Last year, 417 pairs of boots and socks were purchased through the Coeur d'Alene Big 5 Sporting Goods store. Under the supervision of manager Matt Jacob, staff assisted families on a one-to-one basis daily from mid-October through December.
Each child was able to select their own boots and socks. Program supervision and coordination with Big 5 management, family support agencies and schools was orchestrated by Vicky Houle, agent of Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty.