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Caring for the Community

Hillside Baptist Church distributes 100 pairs of new tennis shoes

Brian Wilkinson

(Updated: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 5:13 PM)

The line of parents, children in tow, formed early outside North Fork's Hillside Baptist Church Oct. 22 as Pastor Steve Crotinger and his wife Sarah were inside with volunteers preparing to distribute close to 100 pairs of new tennis shoes to any and all children that came through the door.

The morning started out with Sarah Crotinger greeting everyone in line and telling parents and children that God wanted to take care of North Fork's children by providing shoes for them. It didn't take long for her to become emotional when she came across a barefooted boy.

"That was incredible -- I told him he is the reason we do the shoe giveaway," Sarah said as she took him my the hand into the church to get his shoes. "People do not realize that some children in our town do not have a decent pair of shoes for winter. We need to do this every year because children outgrow their shoes in a year."

Jodi Wheeler brought her three children.

"My kids can go through shoes in a couple months," Wheeler said. "This is a great help to the community."

"Everybody needs help now and then and what the church is doing is helping my family and the whole community," said Sandy Wilson.

In addition to shoes, her 9 year old son Michael Johnson, was assisted by church member Freda Bybee in selecting a pair of pants, belt, shirt and knit hat.

One father, who attended with his wife and two children, thanked Sarah and told her the shoe giveaway means a lot to his family.

"I'm so glad you brought your family to church to teach your children how great God is," Sarah told him. "These are life lessons they will keep forever."

The Crotinger's saw many families they have not seen in the past.

"We saw lots of grandmas and grandpas with their children and grandchildren this year and many teenagers," Sarah said. "It was cool to be able to provide the larger sizes this year for all the teenagers and exciting to see them come to the event."

A big contributor towards the purchase of shoes came from Pathway Church of Redlands, the church Steve and Sara were married in.

Everyone who attended received a hot dog, potato salad donated by Carolina Castillo, a member of the North Fork Women's Club and from the Buckhorn Saloon, along with baked beans from Sherry Guyer. The Women's Club donated $100 towards the food.

At the end of the day there were about 150 pairs of shoes left over.

"We would love to give additional shoes away to children who need them and any visitor who brings children to our 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service between now and Christmas Eve can get shoes," Sarah said.

Details: Hillside Baptist Church, (559) 877-7336.