Newly-formed Graham County Shoe Fund off to strong start after private donation
In 1991, Murphy’s Betsy Lane heard a segment on National Public Radio about getting new shoes for needy kids.
As a child, she could remember her own need for shoes. She was so touched that she began collecting and donating shoes in Cherokee County. Over the years, the shoe collection continued to grow.
Upon Lane’s retirement in 2011, her son-in-law Steven Aft continued the collections for the Cherokee County Shoe Fund.
In March, The Graham Star published an article on the expansion of the shoe fund to include Graham County. Soon thereafter, the fund received a letter from a female reader of the Star who wishes to remain anonymous – but her story is worth sharing.
“The Lord is so amazing and works miracles all the time!,” reads a portion of the letter.
“Like so many kids in Graham County, we grew up pretty poor. Poor in terms of money, but so rich in the things that matter most in life: faith and family.
“At that time, there was a general store in Robbinsville called Ben Franklin. When I was 12, I went in there for something and ahead of me in the checkout line was a mom with her three daughters, buying shoes for the school year. I remember clearly they had the shoe money in a Mason jar. The family had been saving for the shoes. One girl got a pair of blue tennis shoes, and the other two had tan slippers. When they counted the money they did not have enough. So, the girl that had the tennis shoes had to go back and get slippers as well.
“It still brings tears to my eyes 50 years later. I was only a kid and I did not have any money, but at that moment I wished so much I could have paid for all three girls to get any shoes that they wanted.
“I have shared that story with my husband hundreds of times over the years and have told him I wish I could find a way to help.”
The reader had an aunt who lived in Robbinsville and passed away. She had her aunt’s mail forwarded to her address and began receiving the Star. She had only received a few copies when she saw the article about the newly-organized Graham County Shoe Fund.
“It was just meant to be and I am so grateful,” she shared. “Your shoe fund will allow my 12-year-old self to do something to help three other little girls get nice school shoes. Thank you!”
There was a check for $1,000 included in the letter. Just as Lane had a desire to give back in 1991, the reader felt that same need. It is never too late to make a difference in the lives of others. Both ladies experienced need. Both women were blessed with needs met as adults – but more importantly, they were blessed with a giving heart and a desire to serve.
Can we do something to help a child have a new pair of school shoes in the fall? Donate by sending a check to:
Graham County Shoe Fund
c/o Mary Jo Dyre
P.O. Box 279
Murphy, NC 28906.