The founder of the nonprofit Shoes 4 the Shoeless has been named the Dayton Volunteer Citizen of the Year.
Dayton native Kris Horlacher created the organization in January 2010 in an effort to provide area children with properly fitted clothing and footwear, according to a release issued Thursday by event sponsors Direct Energy, the Dayton Daily News and WHIO-TV.
According to the sponsors, Horlacher began her working career as a nurse before starting a mentoring program for underprivileged Dayton children. It was during her work there that she noticed that many of the children she was mentoring had tattered, ill-fitting shoes and socks. Some didn't have shoes or socks at all.
Through about 60 hours of volunteer work per week, Horlacher goes into Dayton schools to fit children for their shoes and socks, free of charge. Horlacher and her team have provided more than 17,000 children with correctly sized shoes, socks and underwear.
"... Kris truly exemplifies the type of person we look for when we choose the winners of our ... award programs," Rob Comstock, Direct Energy senior vice president, said in a statement.
Horlacher's efforts were rewarded in a special ceremony at the Cox Media Group Ohio building, 1611 S. Main St., where she was given an award, a $5,000 donation for the organization and $1,000 cash.
"We all know that children are our most precious resource and what she does for the children of Dayton is nothing short of honorable," Comstock said.
Shoes 4 the Shoeless will hold the first Shoeless Walk 4 Kids at the Dayton Mall on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. In Dayton, there are 4,000 children on a waiting list for shoes. The walk will provide some of them with new shoes this holiday season.
-- Mickey Shuey, an intern, is a senior at the University of Dayton.
