DTLR donates more than 150 pairs of shoes to Harry E. James

HOPEWELL — About 400 happy feet left Harry E. James Elementary on April 28 when the DTLR shoe company, in partnership with New Balance, donated shoes to students, giving them an extra spring in their step.

Tremayne Lipscomb Sr., community outreach manager for DTLR, has been with the company for 12 years, and being able to give back to the community is his favorite part of the job.

“We try to come out and incentivize the kids, just encourage them to keep doing well,” he said. “We know a lot of the parents probably shop in the store so we like to give back in areas where our stores are.”

This is the first year DTLR, along with New Balance, has given away shoes to students here in the city. Jordan Davis, Virginia marketing representative for DTLR, said New Balance brought the shoes to the table, wanting to give back to students in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Lipscomb said this event helps DTLR stay involved in the community and not just behind the walls of the store.

“This is the best part of the job, just seeing the joy on their faces for them receiving something, not really expecting it, that’s just the best part of it, to brighten up their day,” he said.

Both Davis and Lipscomb worked closely with Hedgehog teacher Cadeidre Alexander, as well. Alexander has been working with Davis for over four years, reaching out whenever there is a community or school event. The company has provided gift cards, lanyards, towels for field day and volunteers, but nothing to this extent, said Harry E. James Principal Judy Barnes.

“If you were in there and seeing the expressions and reaction to the children, you knew, that was the joy of being able to do something like that,” Barnes said. “It was just wonderful to see those children and the company come here and give those kids shoes. It's just not anything we would normally expect or get.”

Though the children had broad smiles on their faces as they received their new shoes, there were tears in the eyes of many as they watched. Barnes said one teacher came up to her during the event in tears, expressing joy at not only seeing the donation but being able to teach at Harry E. James.

“That was moving,” Barnes said of the encounter. “It’s amazing to me. Sometimes stuff just lands in your lap and this was one of those things. We’ve got good people here.”

Alexander, who facilitated the event, said she knew students in need of new shoes, and watching them open the boxes for the first time brought her overwhelming joy.

“I’m so full right now that I am able to give back to my community because I am from Hopewell and I was able to give back to the students, and our community," she said. "Students now have memories that school is not just, ‘I have to get my SOLs [Standards of Learning] done, but my school really does care about me and my needs,’ so I’m very, very grateful.”

• This article was written and submitted by Caitlin Davis, media specialist for Hopewell City Public Schools.