Local credit unions 'Warm the Soles' of military children at Hill Air Force Base

  • Published
  • By Lee Anne Hensley
  • Hilltop Times correspondent
HILL AIR FORCE BASE --  America First Credit Union gave more than 100 new shoes to children of active duty military service members here Dec. 16 for its fifth year participating in the bank's "Warm the Soles" annual donation drive.

"This year we gave 102 pairs of new shoes to the children here," said Kassi Hess, lead teller at the America First Community Branch at Hill Air Force Base. "This was the highest amount of shoes we've given over the years."

Each year, America First unites with other credit unions within the Utah League of Credit Unions to provide new shoes to economically disadvantaged children throughout Utah through a program the league calls "Warm the Soles." Launched in 1993, the Utah League of Credit Unions reports that more than 52,000 pairs of shoes have been distributed over the years.

"Our employees look forward to this donation drive each year," said Nicole Cypers, Public Relations and Community Outreach specialist for the America First Credit Union Operations Center at Riverdale.

Cypers reports the credit unions donate to three other locations as well as Hill AFB -- Lakeview Elementary School in Roy, Box Elder County social services and Santaquin Elementary School.

Although donations are collected year-round by all America First branches, the organization of donated items and outreach begins in October, when credit union employees coordinate with points of contact at each donation location to identify children to benefit from this program.

At Hill AFB, the credit union coordinates with the 75th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center, which identifies families based on recommendations from the First Sergeants organization, the Exceptional Family Member Program and the Hearts Apart deployment program.

Tiera James -- whose husband, Staff Sgt. Ricky James of the 75th Communications Squadron, is currently deployed -- was contacted via e-mail through the Hearts Apart program that her 4-year-old son, Devin, could receive a new pair of brand name shoes and participate in the distribution party Dec. 16, where Santa Claus would be giving out extra presents, as well. "I decided to participate in this to help the (deployment) time go quickly and give (Devin) something to look forward to," she said.

Once the AFRC collects shoe size information from interested families, the credit union employees partner with the JC Penney store in nearby Riverdale to acquire discounted, name brand shoes.

In addition to the shoes, the Hill AFB credit union employees also contact local dentistry offices and the Hill AFB Defense Commissary Agency to collect ancillary items to give out to children during the distribution party held at the Log Cabin on Dec. 16.

This year, children received a goody bag filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes and candy, and Santa gave out candy canes while listening to each child's holiday wish list. All attending families were also offered cookies, punch and pizza.

Donations to the Warm the Soles of Kids program are tax-deductible and accepted throughout the year at all America First branch locations.

"All monies donated to the Warm the Soles account goes directly to buying shoes," said Cypers.