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WEST VALLEY CITY — After suffering a heartbreaking break-in on Christmas Eve of last year, the Granite Education Foundation has received a generous donation of brand-name shoes and clothing that will help clothe and support kids who are actively experiencing barriers that prevent them from getting the most out of their education.
In partnership with the local community, America First Credit Union and Real Salt Lake donated over 650 pairs of shoes and dozens of pieces of branded RSL clothing to the Granite Education Foundation on Monday afternoon at the foundation's warehouse in West Valley City. From here, the foundation will work with Granite School District to make sure the new sneakers and clothing will be given to kids who may not have access to new items.
"Knowing that we ask the community to support us all the time, any time that we can step out and help the community, we want to be there," Kyle Schroeder, Real Salt Lake's vice president of community relations, said about why the team decided to step in and help after hearing about the break-in that happened on Christmas Eve. "We want to make sure we're giving our time and our resources back to the people who support us."
The burglary at the Granite Education Foundation facility resulted in $50,000 worth of losses, in the form of damage to its warehouse and stolen goods, and Schroeder said that Real Salt Lake was eager to step in and help fill the hole that was made.
America First and RSL donated 650 pairs of brand-new shoes, 250 Real Salt Lake jerseys, blankets and winter clothing of all sizes. Leo the lion, Real Salt Lake's playful mascot, worked hand in hand with a group of volunteers to unload the donations at the warehouse and help sort them, alongside 22 pallets of food that the Granite Education Foundation received over the Super Bowl weekend courtesy of the Scouting for Food initiative. Real Salt Lake players Justen Glad and Andrew Brody, as well as Utah Royals players Imani Dorsey and Kate Del Fava, were also there to lend a hand.
"Granite School District has 84 schools, and we know that basic necessities are lacking in some of those schools, so we know that we want to prioritize food assistance and student aid," said Remi Prince, the Granite Education Foundation's programs and volunteer manager.
The foundation assists kids in need by offering assistance in providing amenities that are crucial to a child's success in school including food, clothing, hygiene supplies and school supplies. Working with donations from the community, the Granite Education Foundation also helps schools in Granite School District stock their pantries and offers kids in the district scholarships that help them continue to pursue their education after high school.
"The scale of something like this is just amazing," said Prince, referring to the donation made by America First Credit Union and Real Salt Lake. "We got some really nice tennis shoes and I'm excited — and I am certain that the students will be very excited about it as well."
