Tennessee Serves Distributes New Shoes to Every Student in Perry County School System

Wednesday, September 08, 2021 | 06:00am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In partnership with Samaritan’s Feet International, today Tennessee first lady Maria Lee announced 923 new pairs of shoes were distributed to students in the Perry County school system through her Tennessee Serves initiative.

As part of the event, the first lady, along with Governor Lee and a group of volunteers, helped students select a new pair of sneakers while also providing words of hope and encouragement. Each student enrolled in Linden Elementary School, Linden Middle School, Lobelville Elementary School and Perry County High School was eligible to receive a new pair of shoes.

This effort is part of Lee’s continued focus on serving rural Tennessee. Since its launch in May 2019, Tennessee Serves has worked diligently to wrap around the state’s economically distressed counties, including Perry County.

“This project is one I have been looking forward to since I first volunteered at an event with Samaritan’s Feet,” said first lady Maria Lee. “Hope is a powerful force that can change the outlook and trajectory of a child’s life. Not only are we grateful to be able to address a tangible need of families in Perry County, but I hope that as they lace up those shoes each morning, each child will remember the message of encouragement they’ve heard and will walk confidently in who they are created to be.”

“We are honored to partner with first lady Maria Lee to serve every student in Perry County with a new pair of shoes,” said Manny Ohonme, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Feet. “These efforts, alongside Tennessee Serves, will impact families throughout the county and inspire hope in each student there.”

“The Perry County school system is so excited for the opportunity the first lady and Samaritan’s Feet have brought to our community,” said Eric Lomax, director of Perry County Schools. “This partnership will touch the lives of over 900 children in our district by providing shoes and socks to every student, but greater than that gift, this partnership gives our students a sense of hope in their future.”

For more information on Tennessee Serves, click here.

###