Iziah Smith says he loves to play basketball, but he needed a good pair of sneakers to wear.
"These aren't sneakers. They're basketball shoes," Iziah exclaimed as he proudly pointed to his new pair of Shaq shoes, which were designed by professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal.
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Kevin Green/News-Journal Photo | Scout Ben Bode, of Jefferson helps Iziah Smith try on a pair of shoes Thursday at Academy Sports in Longview. The Scout bought shoes from money he collected for an Eagle Scout project.
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Smith was one of 40 Jefferson Head Start students aged 4 and 5 who received a pair of shoes Thursday from 14-year-old Ben Bode, an eighth-grader at Jefferson Junior High School.
"Give a Little Sole" is Bode's Eagle Scout service project. The service project is among the final steps in Bode becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America scouting program.
"Most of my life I loved shoes. I've had a lot of pairs of shoes," Bode said. "I know that other people can't always afford nice shoes, though. I just wanted to help other people."
Bode said he began working on the project in December or January. He raised the money himself by having a hot dog fundraiser in downtown Jefferson on April 12.
"I sold twice my goal," he said. Bode raised $2,300.
Assistant Scout Master Peggy Cornelius said the group of Scouts she works with has been dedicated.
"They also have a good parent support group," she said. "The parents have to support their kids."
Bode's parents, Cliff and Anna Bode, said they were proud of their son's service project.
"This is very appropriate for Ben," Cliff Bode said. "It's really going to make the day for these kids who are less fortunate."
Bode decided that Head Start students in Jefferson should receive the shoes.
"I feel that since Jefferson is in the fourth-poorest county in Texas, the parents here might not have as much money to buy shoes for their kids," he said.
Bode and five of his fellow Scouts from Troop No. 555 accompanied the 40 Head Start students from Jefferson to Academy Sports and Outdoors in Longview.
The children chose their own shoes.
Harmoni Williams chose a white pair of Sketchers with jewels on them.
"They're pretty," she said.
The total bill was $1,113. The shoes were not taxed because the Boy Scouts is nonprofit organization, and Academy Sports and Outdoors gave Bode a gift card to help with the cost.
Five-year-old Eduardo Santibanez asked, "Are you sure we have enough money?"
Bode assured him that there was plenty of money. The remaining money will be put in a fund for Head Start students. Children will be selected on an as-needed basis by teachers to receive new shoes, Bode said.
Head Start teachers said it was a blessing that Bode decided to do the project for the students. Cornelius said it was something that the students would always remember.
"For some of these students, this will be the best pair of shoes they'll have," she said. "They are going to remember this day and this field trip and this act of kindness for the rest of their lives."
