Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys partnered with Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) on Monday, December 14, 2015, to donate 100 pairs of shoes and boots to children at Payless Shoes Steelyard Commons. CATA is an organization dedicated to assisting its members in furthering their education and skills so they may better represent their clients in the courtroom. CATA members are also dedicated to assisting those in need outside of the court room.
An astonishing 54% of kids in greater Cleveland live in poverty, the second highest amount of any big city. CATA knows that reaching out and helping these children is just one way to make a difference and assist those in need. In fact, one of the teachers at the event on Monday thanked CATA for appreciating the fact that every day there are families in Cleveland struggling to make ends meet. Juggling their limited funds is especially difficult during this holiday season. We were reminded that providing these children with brand new shoes, boots and socks is not only appreciated, but necessary. One of the moms in attendance at the event thanked CATA personally telling us that her children were in desperate need of new boots. The smiles on the faces of the children is thanks enough!
I, along with CATA President Kathy St. John, and CATA board member Todd Gurney, had a blast assisting all the children as they were measured for the correct shoe size, picked out a pair of shoes or boots that appealed to them (action figures were in high demand) and tried on their new shoes and boots. The children were also given new pairs of socks, followed by a snack. CATA will be sponsoring a 2nd giveaway event during the Christmas break at which time they will be providing new shoes and boots for another 50 school-aged children. It is so rewarding to give back to our community.
Below are just a few of the photos from the event. Check out the CATA Facebook Page for the rest!
