Hundreds of Shoes Go to Los Fresnos Students

Story and photo by Tony Vindell/LFN

Hundreds of tennis shoes donated by a local couple went to students attending Los Fresnos schools, giving parents a break in their pockets as they prepare to send their children to school.

Some 500 pairs of tennis shoes, gifted by Cesar and Belia Ornelas owners of Angel Lucy’s Funeral Home, were given out Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Church of Christ on West 11th Street.

The Ornelas own several funeral homes, one of which is here in Los Fresnos.

The parents and their children waited in the church’s chapel before walking one by one into a room filled with boxes of brand new shoes made by manufacturers such as Adidas, Nike and Under Armour.

The Ornelas said they donated the shoes as a way to give back to the community and will continue doing so as long as they can.

“We do this for the kids (whose parents) cannot afford to buy them shoes to go to school,” Cesar Ornelas said. “As a former migrant I know what is like to be in such situation.”

He said each pair of shoes cost $50 or more a pair, which translates into close to $30,000 spent.

Ornelas said this is their second time doing this in Los Fresnos at this time of year.

They also donated shoes in Laredo, Port Lavaca, Victoria and in the Midland-Odessa area.

During Saturday’s giveaway, some parents brought several children with them.

“These are my nephews and my children,” said a woman as each of eight children tried on their shoes. “This is a big help for us.”

Juan Jose Garcia showed up with five youngsters ages 5 to 13.

“They all attend Los Fresnos schools,” he said. “We are thankful for this.”

Garcia said he knows how expensive things are these days, especially when one is a single parent like himself.
Loera said he would like to thank the church’s personnel for the support they have received and for the way they organized the event.