Restored hearts and “soles”

Foundation provides new shoes to children in Garvin and Murray counties

Middle school can be challenging enough without the added discomfort and embarrassment of worn out shoes. For one student at Pauls Valley Intermediate in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, a growing hole in their shoes led them to seek out Heather Clune, the school’s counselor, for a bit of help. The student asked if Clune could stitch their shoes back together — a temporary fix for what they truly needed. Clune knew just where to turn. She quickly reached out to Restored Hearts and Soles Foundation, a program dedicated to ensuring that every student in the Garvin and Murray school districts has sturdy, comfortable shoes.

“When the shoes arrived, the student came into my office wearing a pair their family member had lent them, and the student was so happy to receive the new ones,” Clune says. “I want people to see the impact (Restored Hearts and Soles) has on our community. Our students face many challenges, and this is one we can check off their list.”

Restored Hearts and Soles was founded in 2013 by Melissa Blubaugh, a former member of the community who knows first-hand the impact a new pair of shoes can have. When she couldn’t reach her full potential in track in high school due to her parents not having the money for track shoes, her coach stepped in and filled the gap. It was the first pair of brand-new shoes Blubaugh had ever owned. Blubaugh wanted to give back and allow other children to experience the joy of a new pair of shoes purchased just for them.

“For some this is the first new pair of shoes they have ever received,” says Kaci Sapp, a Rural Electric Cooperative member and counselor at Lindsay High School. “The new shoes offer a boost in their self-esteem and help them feel included amongst their peers.”

Restored Hearts and Soles began with a simple mission: to make sure every student has shoes they can wear with pride. Though its founder, Blubaugh, moved away a few years after launching the organization, her vision lives on. She entrusted the program to her dedicated leadership team, which today is led by board of directors president Ashley Brumley, vice president Krystal Bandy, treasurer Tara Brown and secretary Stacey Luckinbill.

Over time, Restored Hearts and Soles has expanded steadily, adding one or two schools each year until they now serve all 28 schools in Garvin and Murray counties. The organization would love to expand further, but that will require additional volunteers and monetary donations. In fact, Restored Hearts and Soles had a close call a year ago, when many of their long-standing board members retired. However, the organization put out a plea for new volunteers on Facebook and was able to fill the board.

The team is grateful for the commitment of their loyal supporters, including many individuals who give monthly and House Church, which provides regular contributions. Recently, the organization received a $10,000 grant from CVR Energy’s Wynnewood refinery, allowing them to bring joy to even more students. Last year alone, 307 children received new shoes through the program, and, to date, Restored Hearts and Soles has never had to turn down a single request for shoes.

“We’ve filled every referral that comes in,” Brumley said. “I heard about one student who said it was so exciting, it was like their birthday. Everybody should have a day like that.”

At Restored Hearts and Soles, respecting each student’s privacy is at the very core of their mission. School staff refer students in need, but instead of names, they only provide details like age, shoe size and occasionally a favorite color or brand to ensure the student is delighted with their new shoes. Volunteers with Restored Hearts and Soles then go shopping to select a pair specifically for that student.

“We try to keep the budget under $50 per pair, but occasionally need to go over for a specific type of athletic shoe or some of the bigger sizes,” Brumley says.

One lesson learned along the way was that students often do not know what size they are, Brumley says, as they are often wearing hand-me-downs. To limit the number of returns needed, this year, the organization got sponsorships to provide each school with a shoe sizer to make sure each referral came with the correct size. This will cut down on the time required for the volunteers and make shoe delivery day a success, Brumley says.

“Having the opportunity to be the one to deliver the shoes to our students fills my heart with joy,” says Tara Hatfield, the counselor at Sulphur Elementary School. “Students will smile, hug and thank me when they try on their new pair of shoes, and I wish I could put that feeling in a box and mail it to all the people that donate so they know exactly what their donations mean to a student.”