Dozens of School Children Receive New Shoes

A total of 62 children at Riverview Elementary School in Rancho Cordova, many of them from families with limited income, received new pairs of shoes and socks Thursday, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente physicians, nurses and staff.

The annual shoe distribution, in its final year due to the school’s scheduled closure, is part of a Kaiser Permanente program known as H.E.A.L. (Healthy Eating, Active Living), which encourages children to exercise frequently, including taking school-sponsored walks on campus.

On December 17th at a special assembly, the 62 wide-eyed students in grades K-2 received wrapped boxes containing new shoes.

“The staff at Kaiser Permanente’s Medical Office Building in Rancho Cordova have been committed to providing new tennis shoes to the students at Riverview School for the past seven years because it’s our desire to give back to the community,” said Dan Fruge, the facility’s site administrator. “This is a great program in that we are reaching out to the community to help children stay physically active, which supports Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive campaign.”