Students at Success Academy in Lee County received an unexpected holiday surprise from the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades. The organization donated over 200 boxes of Nike Jordans, providing each student with a brand-new pair of shoes.
“I’m really happy,” said Carson, a 10th grader at Success Academy. “I can’t stop smiling about the new shoes.”
The students browsed through the vast selection on Wednesday morning with smiles on their faces. The stacks of shoes, all neatly lined up by size, came in multiple colors and styles.
Carson said it was an unexpected surprise.
“When I walked into the room, and I saw the shoes, I didn’t think we were getting a pair. I thought we were helping out and putting shoes in, like the right boxes to help give them to other people,” said Carson. “I was like, ‘Whoa, is this for me?’ I was shocked,” Bruno added, an 8th grader at the school.
Jarrett Eady, the Chief Partnership Officer for United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, said its partnership with the School District of Lee County and generous donations from the Gifts In-Kind Program helped make this surprise happen.
“It was always great to see the enthusiasm of our students, to know that the entire community is wrapping around them and wants to make sure they have ultimate success,” said Eady.
The students are all eagerly anticipating showing off their new footwear at school on Thursday.
For ways to get involved and help the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades continue to give the gift of giving, go to: www.unitedwaylee.org/donate