Local youngsters get new shoes courtesy of Lemoore Police Department Annual Shoe Drive

It was indeed an early Christmas for Lucas and about 74 other Lemoore students.

The young Lucas, with his ever-present smile, and surrounded by his siblings, was one of about 75 local youngsters who benefitted from this year’s program, the department’s third annual Shoe Drive. Participating schools include P.W. Engvall, Lemoore Elementary, Cinnamon Elementary and Meadow Lane.

Lemoore Police Department Website

Over the past year the Lemoore Police Department has received donations from local businesses and individuals, giving it enough funding to purchase at least 75 pairs from the local Kmart.

A happy Sebastian Robledo gets a new pair of shoes as brother Manuel helps put them on. Also looking on are Maria and Mom Paula Robledo

Lemoore Police Officer Kevin Cosper, the local cop who ran the program this year, said the department works with the local school districts to identify students who might benefit from a new pair of shoes. The police department collects parent permission forms that state the student’s name and shoe size, then police officers spend some time in Kmart buying shoes.

“This is a real satisfying thing,” said Cosper, who helped distribute shoes on Monday afternoon (Nov. 14) on the lawn adjacent to the police station.  “We put a lot of work into this, putting in a lot of hours on our own time, trying to raise the money to buy them shoes, and then to see the reactions on the kids face and how appreciative they are of the shoes, it makes it all worth it.”

Cosper says there is a real need, and the police department will likely end up handing out more than 75 pairs of shoes this year. “You know it’s the school staff that sees the children and helps us select the recipients, so they know the children who are really in need of shoes.”

Anyone interested in donating to the program is urged to contact Officer Kevin Cosper at 559-924-9574.