True To Your Sole gives away over 150 pairs of shoes at back-to-school event

The line was out the door and out the parking lot at South Aiken High School on Saturday morning as hundreds of children and parents arrived for True To Your Sole's seventh annual Sneakers and Notebook Extravaganza.

In addition to giving away supplies like paper, notebooks and backpacks, True To Your Sole also raffled off more than 150 pairs of sneakers to children at the back-to-school drive.

This year's drive was sponsored by Vans of Charleston, who donated the brand new sneakers that served as raffle prizes. An Ozbot STEM station was also sponsored by Spawar Systems Atlantic.

After signing up, the children (who had to be enrolled in a local school and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident to qualify) were given wristbands. If their wristband was called out, they received a free pair of new Vans sneakers.

"Today, we're going to bless the community with every pair of shoes we have," said True To Your Sole member and co-founder Marcus Schoultz. 

Schoultz said this year's event was in honor of his grandmother, Marie Schoultz. A photo of his grandmother was displayed in the cafeteria during the event.

"The the first year we did this, we gave out about 10 pairs," said Denzell Washington of True To Your Sole. "And every year, it's just grown. This year we're giving out over 150 pairs."

Deandre Schoultz, who is also a member of the organization, echoed Washington's excitement of the event's growth and the good that it does for the community.

"It's always great to feel like you're doing something that's bigger than yourself," Deandre Schoultz said "Every day I wake up and I always say, 'How can I make somebody else feel better.' Today I'm going to feel very accomplished about that."

The Sneakers and Notebook Extravaganza has been held at various schools and locations over the last seven years. Each year the event has grown larger, and True To Your Sole members have had to find larger locations to host the crowds.

This year, they chose South Aiken High School. The children and families filled the stands in the gymnasium. South Aiken principal Samuel Fuller spoke at the event.

The children lined up for games before the raffle started.

"I really like my new shoes," said Antwon Bush, who won a new pair of Vans during the event.

To learn more about True To Your Sole's philanthropic activities, visit truetoyoursole.com or visit their Facebook page.