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New shoes for homeless kids

For kids used to wearing "hand-me-down" clothing, the holidays brought them something new: shoes.

Girl Scout troops from South San Mateo County, including girls from Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley and Menlo Park, used the funds they gathered from nut and cookie sales to buy homeless kids new shoes based on the kids' preferences for style and color. Girl Scouts from 31 troops wrapped the shoes for some 300 homeless children living in InnVision transitional shelters, such as Haven House in Menlo Parak.

"Shopping for shoes is an excellent tie-in to several Girl Scout Badges," Clara Morse, a Portola Valley cadette scout, said. "But the real reason we do this is because these kids need shoes that fit them to wear to school."

"We are so grateful for the Girl Scouts' time and generosity to support our family," InnVision CEO Karae M. Lisle said. "For these children, who mostly wear donated clothes and hand-me-downs, the gift of brand new, personally selected shoes is priceless."

The scouts also prepared "comfort kits" for homeless adults, spokeswoman Renee Courington told the Almanac. "I just dropped off 80 pairs of shoes — parents are as happy as the kids!" Ms. Courington said.