Elementary School Receives 100 Pairs of Shoes

COLTON>> On Monday, Dec. 12, 100 children received a special gift at Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Colton. Evergreen, a real estate company specializing in retail, commercial and multi-family development, asset management, property management and leasing, has a charitable foundation that partner with the non-profit organization, Shoes That Fit, to help kids improve their self-esteem by eliminating worn out or ill-fitting shoes. Through their foundation, five schools are selected annually that demonstrate need for their students to be a part of the Shoes for Kids Drive. This year, Lincoln Elementary was selected as one of the five schools. Evergreen’s Foundation teamed up with the City of Colton, Councilman Frank Navarro and the Shoes That Fit to pass out 100 pairs of shoes to deserving children. “The kids are beautiful and deserving and it was a blessing to see the smiles on their faces when they received their shoes,” said Chris Bergren, principal of Evergreen. Bergren said it was a rewarding experience for everyone involved. “It was an honor to be there to assist Evergreen Foundation in the shoe distribution at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School,” Navarro said. “The most touching moment of this experience was watching the kids as they received their new pair of shoes. Thank you to Chris Bergren and the Evergreen Foundation for inviting me to be a part of the event.” Bergren said Sylvia Rios, Health Assistant at Abraham Lincoln Elementary, was their liaison to the school and was a tremendous help in making the event happen along with other school staff members. Evergreen is developing the Smart & Final Extra! store on the corner of Colton Avenue and North Mount Vernon Avenue in Colton. The company’s stated mission is to support children, education and neighborhoods in the communities where Evergreeners work and live.