Reliant donates hundreds of sneakers for children at local elementary schools and organizations
SODUS, NY (January 11, 2024) — Reliant Credit Union continues its mission to help students in the Finger Lakes put their best feet forward! Throughout 2023, Reliant donated 310 pairs of sneakers to Brockport Central School District, The Future Run the Streets run club in Newark, Ibero American Action League, Marion Central School District, and The Spot at Victor Central School District, to be given to children served by these schools and programs.
These donations are all part of a special community effort Reliant created called Feet Forward, through which the credit union partners with area schools and organizations to provide quality sneakers to kids who need them. For the fourth year in a row, Reliant collaborated with Jonathan Griffiths, owner of Rochester Running Company, who helped facilitate the credit union’s purchase of an array of high-quality sneakers so that the credit union could donate them to children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to quality footwear.
“For seven years, our Feet Forward program has empowered children with the opportunity to run, play, and grow,” said Pamela Heald, Reliant’s President & CEO. “By providing high-quality sneakers, we’re not just giving footwear; we’re helping to promote health and success in our communities.”
Since Reliant started Feet Forward in 2016, the credit union has donated 2,134 pairs of sneakers—a total investment of over $61,000 to help local children.
Reliant and Rochester Running Company representatives presented the sneakers to representatives from the elementary schools and organizations, including Alana Schiller, a Brockport Central School District Social Worker. “We have so many students with a variety of needs who will benefit from this donation, and we truly feel so fortunate that we were selected to receive it,” said Ms. Schiller. “Our students are our first priority, as we are always striving to maintain integrity, diversity and respect for all. The sneakers are so stylish and will be worn with pride. We are absolutely blown away by Reliant’s generosity.”
“We are thankful for the sneaker donation received from Reliant Credit Union and Rochester Running Company,” said Daisy Ruiz-Marin, Ibero American Action League’s Director of Migrant Services. “When the first bus of migrants arrived on August 7th, our agency took the lead for accepting clothing donations for the migrant families being bussed from NYC to Monroe County. This donation will help over 75 children have new shoes for school.”
Marion Elementary School Principal Casey Steiner said, “Reliant’s generosity will touch the lives of many students and families. Thanks to Reliant we will be able to provide students with brand new “cool” sneakers when they need them. What may seem like a small act of kindness will have a huge impact on our students.”
Representatives from Reliant, Rochester Running Company and Brockport’s Barclay Elementary School.
Representatives from Reliant, Rochester Running Company and The Future Run the Streets run club, and two students from Newark Central School District.
Representatives from Reliant, Rochester Running Company and Ibero American Action League.
Representatives from Reliant, Rochester Running Company and Marion Elementary School.
Representatives from Reliant, Rochester Running Company and The Spot at Victor Central School District.
About Reliant Credit Union
Reliant Credit Union, which began locally in 1970, is a $650 million credit union serving more than 45,000 members. Eligibility is available to all who live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne counties. Reliant currently has branches in Brockport, Canandaigua, Farmington, Geneva, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Macedon, Newark, Sodus, and Webster. A full-service financial institution, Reliant offers a complete range of financial products and services, including mortgages. For information regarding membership or employment, contact the credit union at 800-724-9282 or visit reliantcu.com.
