The bright side: USU attends charity event in Vegas

This week has not only been spring break for Utah State University students, it’s also the Mountain West basketball tournament.

But it’s not just filled with athletes on the court, or even die-hard sports fans. It also provides an opportunity for these schools to come together to contribute to something bigger.

One organization decided to take advantage of this and decided to host their own charity event that not only would help others, but would include the community and universities that are in Las Vegas for the tournament. 

Goodie Two Shoes, a non-profit foundation that provides less fortunate children with socks and shoes, hosted an event outside of the Thomas & Mack Center, home of UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, on March 10. 

This organization is based in Nevada and hosts events once a week. However, typically they hold them at elementary schools and at a much smaller scale. 

“I haven’t seen our event be done in such a big way,” Danielle Fitzgerald, the volunteer coordinating and program assistant for Goodie Two Shoes said. “It’s so special for these kids. Not only do they get to go through this process, they’re getting hype from everybody in the community.”

This event specifically allowed universities, including Utah State, Boise State, UNLV, Colorado State, University of Nevada, University of Wyoming, Air Force, among other Mountain West schools, to bring their spirit squad and band teams to participate in helping keep the children entertained and hand out t-shirts.

Big Blue gives children hugs at the Goodie Two Shoes event on March 10.

Fitzgerald said it’s important for others to get involved and serve those in need.

“They’re able to see that impact and be able to help something bigger than themselves,” she said.

Morgan Watts, USU Spirit Squad head coach, believes that when traveling and getting to participate in opportunities like performing at the tournament it’s good for the team to open their eyes to see what chances they still have to serve others. 

“There’s so many things that you see on the news, especially right now and it’s just all bad news. It’s all sad,” she said. “But when they come here and can make someone smile, they brighten these kids’ day. It’s about serving and that is so fulfilling. That’s what matters most.”

As kids lined up to pick out their fresh new kicks, the USU Spirit Squad kept them company by teaching them dances, letting them borrow their pom-poms and giving lots of hugs. 

Big Blue also got in on the action by dancing and giving knuckles as the USU band took their turn playing recognizable tunes. 

And although not many members of the squad were initially excited to attend, especially due to the high wind and cold temperatures, they recognized the impact they were making as soon as they got there.

Kalli Dickson, a cheerleader on USU’s Spirit Squad said, “It’s definitely really fun to be with them and just to see that they love us and they seriously do look up to us and it’s fun to be an example to them.”

Whitney Pulley, an Aggiette on the Spirit Squad, agreed and added, “It seriously made my day seeing them so happy and excited to see us.”

The USU Spirit Squad dances with kids in line at the Goodie Two Shoes event on March 10.

But it didn’t just leave a mark on the volunteers.

“There’s kids leaving with their brand new pair of shoes, and you just see their faces light up and the way they’re dancing away, it’s super special,” Fitzgerald said.

And for kids, it means the world just to be able to pick out their own pair of shoes without any worry of cost or parental approval.

“They light up and I like light up shoes,” one local elementary student at the event said.

But why shoes?

“I think shoes are just essential,” Fitzgerald explained. “Kids need shoes in order to go to school, they need them in order to be active. Everybody knows it sucks to wear a pair of shoes that are too small or too big and especially when you’re a young kid, you’re comparing yourself to other kids around you.”

With only four staff members and an average of 85 volunteers needed per event, Fitzgerald said regardless of what the items are, it shows it really is all about the kids.

“Just seeing them go from the beginning of our process to when they get to leave with a brand new pair of shoes, you can see the difference in their demeanor and their attitude,” she said. “They’re just happy.”

To learn more information about the Goodie Two Shoes foundation go to their website here.

-Jacee.Caldwell@usu.edu

Photos by: Bailey Rigby