This sneaker drive fits the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle

The last time you bought a pair of sneakers, it probably was no big deal.

But to a foster child who might not have a decent pair of shoes in his or her closet, it can be huge.

The Lake Club's Joy Stone has seen the impact firsthand of a foster child being able to select a new pair of sneakers at The Twig, which has a mission of "Helping every child in foster care know they matter by providing trendy, upscale boutiques where they can shop free of charge."

This is the fourth year the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle had held its Sneakin’ Back to School Sneaker Drive and Stone has been a driving force in the effort all four years.

"You see these poor children put into this situation," Stone said. "It is wonderful that we can help.

"If you are at The Twig on a Saturday, the families come and sign in. The kids then go into this beautiful store and can choose seven articles of clothing. It is so cute. They go to the shoes, and you hear a girl say, 'I want a purple pair of shoes.'"

The staff at The Twig does its best to fill each child's needs.

"It makes them feel special," Stone said. "They are pretty danged happy."

Photo by Jay Heater

Barbara Najmy, the chair of the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle, said the Sneakin' Back to School Sneaker Drive has impacts beyond providing footwear.

"Kindness can have a big impact," she said. "This goes way beyond wearing a pair of sneakers."

Najmy said supporting the foster families just made sense to her members.

"It takes a special family or parent to take on a child who is removed from a home," she said. "Sometimes the children walk out with nothing but what they are wearing."

The Twig Executive Director Nicole Britton said the effort by those who put together the sneaker drive is meaningful.

"Just in the Lakewood Ranch area, we are serving around 200 kids every month," Britton said. "When they come into foster care, usually they are coming with no shoes. This helps them feel like normal kids and it makes them feel prepared for school. And (the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle) makes a huge impact on us, and our budget."

Although The Twig gets donations from individuals and has several groups who do collections, Britton said the effort by the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle is "unique." 

"They are making a lasting impact," she said.

Photo by Jay Heater

The staff at The Twig has ongoing conversations with the children who are using the service about what they are hoping for in clothing and shoes.

"We listen to them," Britton said. "They ask, 'Do you have Nikes or adidas? The little ones might say, 'Do you have sparkly, light-up shoes?' We also look through our inventory to see where we are low, and what sizes are most requested that we are going to need the most."

The Twig puts together a wish list which the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle refers people to during its sneaker drive.

"The Twig has taken the survey, and they are very mindful that the kids want to wear trendy sneakers," Najmy said.

Cinda Krouk, a board member of the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle, said the school aspect is a big factor.

"Their first day of school, they want to fit in and feel good," said Krouk, who is the club's chair of outreach.

Krouk said the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle has collected approximately 250 pairs of sneakers for its 2025 sneaker drive. The first three years of the drive, 300 pairs of sneakers were donated to The Twig. The goal was raised to 400 pairs of sneakers for this year.

"This store is beautiful and very organized," Krouk said. "This takes care of an underserved population of children.

"We're just looking to make a life better. It is one small, kind gesture. But it is very impactful."

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle, which was established in 2014, has 90 members, and it has 14 members on the sneaker drive committee. Julie Swan headed the sneaker drive through its first three years, but she had to take off this year to give care to her family.

The club's outreach and Group Service Initiatives this year benefit Tidewell Grief Care, Embracing Our Differences, Easter Seals, Stillpoint Mission, Mothers Helping Mothers, All Faiths Food Bank and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

The Sneakin' Back to School Sneaker Drive collection runs through July 14. For information on how to help, contact Joy Stone at [email protected] or by calling 962-2412.