Photo courtesy of Tonya Berry.

The Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association (KMCA) selected Augusta Independent School (AIS) and Bracken County Schools (BCS) to receive 750 new pairs of shoes as part of its annual Children’s Shoe Drive.

Formed in 1952, the KMCA is a statewide nonprofit organization that represents all Kentucky fiscal courts and elected county magistrates and commissioners, providing training, education and government resources to local leaders. Each year, members donate shoes, cash and checks for the drive during the KMCA’s spring conference, matched by an anonymous donor. A nominating committee then selects one school in a Kentucky county that has requested assistance to receive the donations.

In an interview with The Ledger Independent, AIS Family Resource & Youth Service Center (FRYSC) Coordinator Todd Kelsch explained that a previously conducted Needs Assessment Survey revealed that appropriate footwear is one of Bracken County parents’ top three needs. Due to rising prices, it can be difficult for parents to frequently afford new shoes; however, Kelsch expressed that this grant will remove that financial barrier and allow students to focus on their academic success rather than their immediate needs. He added that the shoes will be delivered to and distributed by the schools, with some pairs retained for emergency use and others given to families who require them immediately.

Bracken County Middle and High School FRYSC Director Cassie Fryman stated that the shoes will be distributed based on the schools’ sizes, with Taylor Elementary School having a student population of 380, BCMS with 250, BCHS with 300 and AIS with approximately 350.

In an interview with The Ledger Independent, Judge Executive Craig Miller noted that the program typically only selects one school district, expressing that he is “very thankful” to the KMCA for accommodating both Bracken County districts.

At a presentation ceremony held on September 29 at Taylor Elementary School, KMCA’s executive director and staff, Bracken County Fiscal Court members, other county magistrates and commissioners from across the state, and school administration and staff from both school districts were in attendance to assist the first round of students with selection of their new shoes.