Children’s Shoes Donated By The Michigan Podiatric Medical Association

Proper fitting, supportive shoes are necessary to maintain good foot health, especially in growing children. On Friday, July 28, the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA) donated almost 200 pair of athletic shoes to children in the programs of Wellspring Lutheran Services. The shoes will be distributed to the youth before the new school year begins.

“Children’s feet change quickly as they age,” said Dr. Jodie Sengstock, MPMA Director of Professional Relations. “Improper fitting shoes can aggravate the feet and create sores and other problems. Our goal is to educate the public on how and why to have children in proper fitting footwear and to help some in-need children start the school year off on the ‘right foot’.”

This is the fifth year that MPMA has partnered with Wellspring Lutheran Services for shoe distribution.

Through its child and family services division, the statewide nonprofit supports children in foster care, children in residential care with cognitive, behavioral and emotional issues, and provides family support services to keep families safely together. The organization also serves seniors and caregivers across Michigan. More information on Wellspring may be found at wellspringlutheran.com.

The MPMA brought all of the shoes to Wellspring’s New Directions Campus in Farmington Hills. Dr. Sengstock worked with several of the residents, fitting the children with new shoes.

“As we fit the children with their new shoes today, we found that all of them are now wearing a shoe size at least a half size larger than this spring,” said Marie Tolen, Campus Director-New Directions and

Director of Organizational Improvement, Wellspring Lutheran Services. “We have an on-going need for shoes to fit our fast-growing teens.”

Khaliliah El-Amin, Foster Care Program Manager, Wellspring Lutheran Services added, “ We service over 400 children through our foster care programs. As the children get ready to go back to school, this donation helps to supplement the foster parents’ clothing allowance and the limited funds they are given can to be used for other needed items.”

Wellspring staff will distribute the shoes to other Wellspring locations* where the shoes are needed.

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*Central Michigan: Bay City, Clare, Saginaw

Northern Michigan: Alpena, Gaylord, Mio, Sault Ste. Marie, Traverse City

Southeast Michigan: Detroit, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Oak Park

West Michigan: East Lansing, Kentwood