DETROIT — More than 900 students at Amelia Earhart Elementary-Middle School in Southwest Detroit each walked away with a brand-new pair of shoes on Wednesday, thanks to a partnership between Lace Up Detroit and a group of local Chevy dealers.
Organizers noted this event was the largest shoe distribution in Lace Up Detroit’s history, bringing significant support to the community.
The giveaway intentionally coincided with a critical day for the school: it was both Pajama Day and Count Day, the state-designated day used to determine per-pupil funding for Michigan schools. Principal Anisa Proud emphasized the particular importance of securing student attendance on this specific day.
Principal Proud highlighted the current challenges faced by many families in the area. She noted, “With everything going on in our world, specifically in Southwest Detroit, we have a strong immigrant community and parents have been scared and fearful to send their kids to school.”
For Proud, attendance and student engagement are inseparable. She explained that one of the school’s slogans for the year is ‘Every minute matters,’ underscoring the importance of students showing up daily, and especially on Count Day. This attendance is directly tied to funding, which in turn ensures the school can support its students effectively.
Among the many students selecting their new footwear was Marvin, a seventh grader known within the school as its unofficial hype man. Marvin is recognized for delivering daily motivational messages during morning announcements. He arrived at the event with a clear goal in mind for his new shoes.
Marvin explained his specific search, stating, “I’m going to be looking for one of the best shoes that I can do the moonwalk in, something so it can slide more.” He was successful in finding a pair that perfectly matched his requirements.
The energy inside Amelia Earhart Elementary-Middle School during the event was palpable. Donor Michael Bates, who played a key role in making the giveaway possible alongside other local Chevy dealers, commented on the vibrant atmosphere.
Bates described the excitement as “fantastic,” noting the personal satisfaction he derived from the event. He and his fellow dealers collaboratively raised a total of 1,700 brand-new pairs of shoes, exceeding the number distributed to students. Bates drew a comparison between what generates excitement for different age groups, observing, “You know, adults get excited about jewelry or cars or houses, and kids are excited about shoes and toys.” The collective effort ensured a bright day for the students of Southwest Detroit.
