Football Players Help ‘Lace Up for Kids’

Zanesville High School football players are doing their part to give back.

Now that all the shoes have been collected for “Lace Up for Kids,” a handful of players lent a helping hand for the big giveaway. The players took turns unloading shoes and socks for Thursday’s distribution. Senior, Parker Sims said helping out is great way for the boys to come together as a team.

“We are just trying to give back to the community, I know a bunch of kids around the area try to look up to us, and it’s just cool to have them down here and they see us doing things for them and it’s just cool to help out in the community,” Sims said.

This is the 27th year for “Lace Up for Kids” and Eastside Community Ministry, Wendy’s, and WHIZ all partner together to ensure every child starts school with a new pair of shoes. Co-chair, Sue Thuma, said a lot of hard work and preparation goes into making it a success year after year.

“We couldn’t do this without the football players, there’s a lot of weight in all of those containers and I would not be able to do this alone, neither would any of the other volunteers if they didn’t come, they filled the truck probably in five minutes, it would have taken us half the morning, so we really appreciate them and they’re doing a nice job helping us put them in order too,” Thuma said.

Those registered can pick up their shoes Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Zanesville Civic League.