“Soles of Joy 2026” Equips Frederick Students for Success

Annual Service Event Helps Kids Start School On the Right Shoe

Basic school supplies often take priority during back-to-school shopping, leaving items like new footwear overlooked due to rising household costs. Too many children in Frederick County wake up on the first day of school without proper footwear.

A worn-out or ill-fitting pair of shoes creates a barrier before a student even steps onto the bus. Children often feel unprepared or out of place among their peers. That lack of confidence stays with a student throughout the school day, making it harder to focus and build healthy connections.

That’s why Key City Rotary gathered community members and local partners on July 31, 2026 at Walker’s Overlook in Walkersville to celebrate collecting more than 2,200 pairs of new shoes through its Soles of Joy drive.

Soles of Joy represents the next evolution of Soles of Love, a regional initiative originally founded by local author and speaker Julie Gaver.

Building on that foundation, Key City Rotary hosted donation sites across the county and collected shoes during the club’s biweekly lunch meetings.

The campaign collected over 2,200 pairs of brand-new shoes, which local partner organizations distributed directly to students before the first school bell rang.

Key City Rotary organized the Soles of Joy initiative to turn community concern into direct action. As a modern service club of local professionals and families, Key City Rotary focuses on making small, consistent contributions into Frederick County.

“Every child deserves to step into the classroom with confidence,” said Chenee Beach, Soles of Joy event committee chairperson. “A new pair of shoes gives students a sense of pride and belonging. That foundation helps them succeed in school and in the community.”

By stepping up to lead where we live, our members ensure local children receive practical support right when they need it.

Welcoming Everyone to the Table

The club works with local partner organizations to distribute shoes directly to youth who need them most before classes begin. Members and their families collected, organized, and prepared the donations throughout the summer.

Participating in Soles of Joy is straightforward and accessible:

  1. Collect: Local businesses and members host donation bins across Frederick County throughout the summer.

  2. Celebrate: Supporters gather to process donations, celebrate community partners, and prepare shipments.

  3. Distribute: Trusted local partner agencies receive the shoes and deliver them directly to students in need.

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!!

 

Join Us for Soles of Joy 2027

Planning is already underway to reach even more students next year. Key City Rotary invites local businesses, community partners, and individuals to get involved:

  • Sponsor the Event: Partner with us to fund shoe purchases in bulk.

  • Host a Collection Box: Gather new shoes at your business or workplace.

  • Donate Supplies: Bring brand-new children’s shoes to an upcoming meeting.

Follow @KeyCityRotaryClub on Facebook to sign up for project updates, learn about partnership opportunities, or join us for an upcoming lunch meeting.