Give back, donate a new pair of shoes
Donate a new pair of shoes to an East Dallas child. Lakewood neighbor Carlin Morris was honored at the Wilkinson Center‘s Can Do! Award luncheon in May for her work with the Wilkinson Center Shoe Drive, which she founded in 1985. Through the Wilkinson Center, Morris raises money to give new shoes to children of all sizes during a two-day shoe drive at Payless Shoe Source in East Dallas every summer. During the drive she and several Payless employees help hundreds of children find a new pair of shoes that fits just right. Most of the children live in the East Dallas area. To thank Morris for her work, the Wilkinson Center renamed the shoe drive after her during the luncheon — a gesture that prompted more than a few tears from Morris and the lunch-goers around the room. “What an honor,” Morris said, her voice thick with tears. “I had no idea they were going to do this. (The shoe drive) has become such an important part of my life. I have wonderful friends and family members and volunteers who make this a very easy job, so this award is also for all of you.” Morris remembered the time when a Payless employee introduced herself to Morris with this touching story: “She said, ‘Ms. Carlin, I know you don’t remember me, but my family had just moved here from Cambodia and we needed help. You gave me a new pair of shoes, and I decided that day that I wanted to make a difference in my life so that I could buy all the shoes I wanted.’” The young woman is now a part of the Payless team. In 30 years, Morris has helped more than 36,000, and she has countless stories to share. Learn more at thewilkinsoncenter.org/dallas. To find the donate form, click “donate” and “shoe drive.”
Know of ways that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.
