Medical students provide shoes to needy kids

SIU School of Medicine students in Springfield provided shoes for 44 students at Enos Elementary School recently after their December fundraising effort. The activity was part of "Shoes That Fit," a national program that helps organizations with support materials.

Getting the right fit – Catherine Gaffigan, a second-year student at SIU's School of Medicine, shares a moment with an Enos Elementary School student as he tries on a new pair of shoes. Gaffigan, from Springfield, is also a volunteer mentor at the school.

The medical school students bought the shoes after the grade school students were identified by teachers as needing new shoes. Medical students presented them individually to the children Feb. 23 in the school gym.

Medical students are planning another fund-raising event this spring, and intend to buy new shoes for Enos students this fall when the new school year begins.