Fire department raises money to buy shoes for students

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Holtville Fire Department (HFD) had their fill a boot and raised $2,281 to help buy brand new shoes for students at two elementary schools.

The fire chief says this idea came to him 11 years ago and hopes to continue to bring the holiday cheer to local students.

"It's really good there were people that cared and were willing to stop and give us money to buy shoes for children...it really shows how good of a community we are living in," said Juan Hernandez, a firefighter for HFD.

The fire department used the money to buy 59 pairs of shoes for students at Finley and Pine Elementary Schools.

Fire Chief Alex Silva says this whole idea started eleven years ago.

"We had a Halloween event at the school and I noticed a lot of kids were wearing a lot of shoes that were torn up and it got me thinking...we personally...Whenever I get new shoes, I always feel better. My self-esteem goes up. I feel better about everything, so then I thought, 'Why not get shoes for the kids?' And I am hoping when they get the shoes they get the same feeling," said Silva shared..

One school says every year, the fire department helps not only the students, but families in need: "Some students that get their shoes and they will wear them day after day and they come back and come to show us like look at my new shoes they are so excited that they received their shoes and the parents are really grateful also," said Linsey Godfrey with Pine Elementary School.

The fire department says they will continue to do this every year and hope to bring the holiday cheer to local students in the future.