While buying over $7,500 in shoes from a local retailer, the young man who checked me out gave me a quizzical look. I thought it was the amount of money that was being spent or maybe that I had some mustard on my shirt, I was wrong.

After I presented my credit card, the young man asked, “Are you from In The Image?”

I said, “Yes I am. Do you know who we are?”

He replied, “Of course, if it wasn’t for In The Image and S.H.O.E.S., I never would have received a new pair of shoes for the school year. Now I’m working here to put myself through college. Thank you SO much for doing what you do!”

How could I respond to that? I simply stated, “You’re welcome and thank you for making my day.”

When you wonder what it means to our community when we give away over 9,000 pairs of shoes, remember the statement of a young man with a bright future, who In The Image was honored to help, “If it wasn’t for In The Image, I never would have had a new pair of shoes…”

To join In The Image’s team and run to put shoes on at-risk, local children’s feet contact Bethann Egan at (616) 456-6150.

Thank you for your support!