GSC STUDENTS COLLECT SHOES FOR GILMER COUNTY SCHOOLS

(11/18/2011)

Front (L-R) GSC senior Devin Wells, junior Rebekah Taylor
of Lewis County, senior Kayla Smith of Roane County, Gilmer
County Physical Education Teacher Diana Sharps; Back (L-R)
GSC Athletic Director and Associate Professor of Physical
Education Janet Bailey, and GSC sophomore Sammi Moore of Wirt County

Glenville, WV - Glenville State College Students in Education 351 and Physical Education 326 classes conducted 'Operation Sole Support' collecting new and slightly used athletic shoes for physical education classes at Gilmer County Elementary Schools.

"While observing in the elementary schools, we noticed that some students did not haves shoes to wear for their PE classes. Some of them were wearing socks which can be dangerous on slippery floors. So we thought it would be a good service project to collect some shoes that could be used by students who needed them," said GSC senior Physical Education major Devin Wells of Ritchie County, West Virginia.

Over the course of six weeks several dozen pairs of athletic shoes and socks were donated for the project. On Tuesday, November 15th the shoes were delivered to Physical Education teacher Diana Sharps at Glenville Elementary School. "These shoes will be put to good use by my students around the county who don't have shoes to wear for gym class. I am grateful to the GSC students for their efforts to collect these shoes for us," said Sharps.

'Operation Sole Support' is an example of the many community service projects that GSC students, faculty, and staff get involved in every year. Glenville State College President Peter Barr says encouraging students to give back to their communities is among his many educational goals. "We must train students for jobs, but, at the same time, educate them to make the world a better place to live through community service," said Barr.