RIVERTON, Ill. (WAND) — Kindergarten students in Riverton will step into the holidays with brand-new shoes, thanks to an annual effort by the Riverton Police Department and support from the local community.
Police officers delivered new tennis shoes to every kindergartner in the Riverton School District as part of the department’s third annual shoe giveaway. Riverton Police Chief Bob Crouch said the goal goes beyond footwear.
“It’s very important for us, for the children to see police not only as the enforcers of the law and the community, but also part of the community,” Crouch said. “It gives them an opportunity to see the police in a good fashion instead of a bad situation.”
Making the giveaway happen took coordination between teachers, parents and officers. Crouch said teachers provide shoe sizes, which officers then use to find and wrap the perfect pair for each student.
“Everyone has a gift that they get to unwrap with their name on it. They’re very excited,” Crouch said.
Inside the classroom, the excitement is unmistakable. Michelle Harlan, a kindergarten teacher at Riverton Elementary School, said students eagerly anticipate the day officers arrive.
“They’re always very, very happy when this time of year comes,” Harlan said. “They love it. They want to put them on as soon as they unwrap them.”
Harlan said the donation means even more for families who may not always be able to afford new items.
“A lot of times kids don’t have a lot of extra things, and so anytime they can replace their shoes and have something new that they can show off to their friends, they really enjoy that,” Harlan said.
Community support plays a major role in keeping the program going year after year. Crouch said the shoe giveaway is one of several youth-focused events the department hosts, and it’s one that officers look forward to most.
Top Stories:
Pritzker signs plan decoupling from federal tax policy to address Illinois budget deficit
Macon County deputy cited for DUI after attempting to flee other deputies
IDPH releases first-ever report on alcohol use in Illinois
Decatur City Council approves $50k for new police surveillance cameras
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
