Acts of Kindness: Arlington’s Morton Elementary Students Receive New Shoes, Socks
By Susan Schrock
Posted on October 12, 2018, October 12, 2018

As soon as her laces were tied, third grader Jakylee Edwards was on her feet and making plans for all the fun things she would do in her stylish new pair of pink and blue striped shoes.

"I'm going to run. I'm going to exercise more. I'm going to jump on my trampoline!" said 8-year-old Jakylee. "I'm going to wear these for a long time."

Jakylee was one of more than 560 students at Arlington's Morton Elementary School who received a new pair of socks and shoes on Friday from Samaritan's Feet, a nonprofit organization that works to inspire hope in children around the world by providing shoes. Friday's act of kindness at Morton Elementary was organized with the help of the school's Parent Teacher Association, Whataburger, Movement Mortgage and volunteers from Grace Community Church.

Morton Principal Tashalon McDonald said she hoped the community's gift and message of kindness sticks with the students and inspires them to give back one day as well.

"For us, it's not about just educating the child on the academic level. It's also about building self-awareness, self-esteem and teaching them how to be a servant leader," Principal Tashalon McDonald said.

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Darius Sharp, a fourth grader, said he was thrilled with his new black and neon green sneakers.

"I want to say thank you very much. I appreciate the shoes. I appreciate what you did," Darius said.

The City of Arlington, which launched a Kindness Initiative last year, applauds Samaritan's Feet, the Arlington Independent School District and community partners for working to make The American Dream City a kinder place to live, work, play and learn.

People are encouraged to report acts of kindness that they perform, witness or were the recipient of through the City's Ask Arlington mobile app, on the Acts of Kindness website, or by posting on social media using #ArlingtonKindness and @CityofArlington.

Click here to read more about Acts of Kindness occurring throughout The American Dream City.