MLB Star Is An 'Angel' To 55 Riverside County Foster Kids: Watch As Matt Shoemaker Makes Their Day!

TEMECULA, CA -- It was a special night for dozens of foster youth in Riverside County on Thursday, as they were each outfitted with a new pair of shoes. What's more, each pair was handed over by MLB star Matt Shoemaker, pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

In total, 55 kids received new kicks, which were provided by the organization Shoes That Fit via funding from Pechanga Resort & Casino -- which is where the event took place.

"The children came to the Pechanga Resort & Casino Theater Thursday evening for the special shoe distribution and meet and greet with Matt Shoemaker," Casino Spokeswoman Ciara Green said. "He handed each child a brand new pair of shoes in his or her exact size, then posed for photos with every kid."

Rancho Damacitas Children & Family Services, a Temecula-based foster facility, says children often come to them with the clothes on their backs and most have never received a new pair of shoes.

Some of the youth were so excited with the gift Thursday that they stopped in their tracks and immediately put on their new shoes.

"I'm going to be wearing these the first day of school," said Nekeda Hall. "I'm so excited."

Nekeda Hall with Shoes That Fit said the organization wanted to make sure the foster youth are prepared to learn, play and thrive when the new school year starts.

"The main thing a brand new pair of shoes will automatically bring up their self esteem," she said. "You see the smiles come up on their faces, they usually put the shoes on right away."

Shoemaker said he was happy to be able to take part in the event.

"'Shoes That Fit' and Shoemaker, meant to be right?"

He said that it's important to "do whatever you can to give back and make a kid smile."

Both Shoes that Fit and the Rancho Damacitas group are also beneficiaries of this year’s Pechanga Charity Golf Tournament where $100,000 is raised for four regional charities each year. If you would like to help provide shoes to children in need within southern California, visit the Shoes that Fit website at ShoesThatFit.org.

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Images courtesy of Pechanga Resort & Casino