Shag Shoes Program

2010 Junior SOS Shoe Program
By Betty Ladwig, Chairperson-Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers

Thank you Junior Shaggers, parents, grandparents, friends and Shoe Program Volunteers. Because of you we had another successful year with our Shoe Program for Junior Shaggers.

The Shoe Committee is thrilled to tell you that we surpassed our 2009 record in the distribution of shoes to the Junior Shaggers.

We began our 2010 mission on Tuesday a.m. when we transported nearly 300 pairs of shoes from the Chamber of Commerce warehouse to the Ocean Resort Hotel. Tuesday through Saturday twenty two (22) volunteers generously gave over 130 hours in distributing over 200 pairs of shoes to our Junior Shag Dancers. The numbers are great considering that the total number of youth registered this year exceeded 500.

Many pairs of shoes were donated to us during this week of Junior SOS. Our supply remains consistent but we are lacking in the smaller sizes for both girls and boys. We need sizes 12 through 13 and sizes 1 through 4—preferably something in a universal style (black lace-
up jazz shoe) that would be appropriate for either gender. (beige and white could work).

REMEMBER – ALL OUR SHOES ARE FREE AND ARE STRICTLY FOR JUNIORS, NOT THEIR PARENTS, FRIENDS, OR OTHER RELATIVES.

Incidences were minimal where adults didn’t understand or realize that this program is STRICTLY for Junior Shaggers, and it is NOT an EXCHANGE program in any sense of the word. It is NOT necessary for a Junior Shag Dancer to bring in a pair of shoes in order to receive a pair from the program.

If you did not come in to see the shoe program in operation while you were here you can see photos on some web sites listed in one of the paragraphs below. Keep reading please!

We had as many tables as the room would comfortably accommodate and still have room for workers, juniors, and storage of other necessary items. During peak periods it might have appeared that we had outgrown the room but during slower periods it is the perfect fit. We had shoes on top of shoes and at one point we put boxes beneath the display tables with overflow in specific sizes.

As you entered the double doors to Salon C we displayed young ladies shoes to the left and young men’s shoes to the right, smaller sizes up front, graduating to the larger sizes as you proceeded into the room.

We scheduled our hours to be open during registration hours for the convenience of the Juniors and the chaperoning adults.

Jessica Worley, our contact at the Ocean Resort Hotel, and her staff do a superb job in providing all the tables and chairs we need, keeping the trash emptied, unlocking the doors each time we needed to re-open. THANK YOU JESSICA AND STAFF.

Saturday afternoon, near the end of Junior SOS 2010, we boxed approximately 275 pairs of shoes (includes the shoes donated to the program during this event)….. fitting them into 18 (easy to handle) boxes and returned them to the Chamber of Commerce Warehouse
for storage. The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce generously allows us to store the shoes in their warehouse. Jay is their warehouse manager and is always so gracious, kind, and
understanding when we need access to the warehouse. If we need access on a Saturday or Sunday, Jay makes prior arrangements for that to happen. Thank you Jay and thank you North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

My personal and sincere thanks to each individual who so willingly gave of their time and energy to help in the Shoe Salon for Junior SOS 2010. Thanks to Bob, Vicki, Ted, Jenean, Mary, Wesley, Beverly, Al, Linda, Diane, Donna, Elaine, Sandy, Kim. Ann, Logan, ‘M’, Melody, Mimi, Kathy, Bryan, Randy, and Sue.

I hope I haven’t missed anyone. If I have, please accept my apology. My sincere “THANKS” to each of you.

Thank You parents, grandparents, and friends who brought Junior Shaggers to us. Our shoe program continues to be successful because of you. Thank You to ALL who have donated shoes for our Junior Shaggers. Many of our donations come from individuals who
are not directly involved with the Junior Shaggers and Junior SOS. Without all of your donations our program would not be successful. It takes EVERYONE to make this program or any program or any event successful.

The Shoe Program is JUST ONE of the programs within the Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers. Please take the time to visit the Junior Shaggers web site (www.juniorshaggers.com)
and the Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers (www.ellentaylorfoundation.org) and learn more about these organizations. Also visit Monty’s website (www.leesphoto.fototime.com) to see photos taken during Junior SOS.

We also encourage you to support our locals for shoes; The Shoe Center on Hwy 17 south, behind the Waffle House and

Judy’s House of Oldies on Main Street, both in North Myrtle Beach.

Please check the web sites listed above from time to time for updates and items of interest about our shoe program.

Thank you Junior Shaggers for your interest in the ‘Shag Dance’, the energy you bring to the dance, to the events, and to every room you enter. We love you, respect you, and are here for you. Keep up the good work and may I share with you that we adults are pleased and
honored when you ask us to dance. Thanks again to EVERYONE!

Betty Ladwig
Chairperson, Shoe Program
Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers