Every year on the first Saturday of November, the community comes together to help children in need during challenging economic times.
Small Steps , founded in 1997, is an organization that helps approximately 375 children obtain new winter coats and shoes. Each child is paired with a shopper who is 18 years or older and the childen are given $100 to purchase coats, shoes and any new clothes or school supplies they are able to fit into the budget.
The money is provided entirely through donations from the community. Donations of cash or by check are accepted year-round and are kept in a bank account where they accumulate for the next shopping trip for Small Steps.
Mary Hubbell, an organizer of Small Steps, said, “every single dime is spent on a child.”
During this year’s event on Nov. 1, Small Steps helped about more than 300 children shop at Target and Payless Shoe Source. The number of children greatly outnumbered the number of volunteers due to the rainy weather conditions. However, all the children were able to get their opportunity to get what they needed.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, Small Steps helped the remainder of the children shop at Kmart.
For more information on how to donate or become involved, Small Steps can be reached at (831) 638-2111 or click here.