SUBMITTED BY HARRISON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION

 

Through the help of local business, the Harrison County Parks and Recreation has put together a free sneaker deal that will give each child who participates in the “It Starts in the Parks” summer program sponsored by the Harrison County Commission, the Vital Service Levy and the Parks and Rec department.

 

“With the help of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board as well as some big contributors in the area, we will be handing out vouchers valued up to $35 giving kids the chance to purchase a new pair of shoes for the summer,” said Deputy Director Doug Comer. “Kids can go to the Shoe Carnival located on Emily Drive and select from a wide selection of tennis shoes and use their coupon as a means for payment.”

 

The voucher is good for any child under 18 years of age and the Shoe Carnival recommends that your child be present in order to be properly fitted for shoes.  If the selection goes above the $35 dollar limit, then the parents will be responsible for paying the difference. If the shoes are valued less than $35 dollars, there will be no cash returned.

 

“It is a great opportunity to provide shoes for the kids involved in our program, and when we were approached by McNeer, Highland, McMunn and Varner law firm as well as Antero, we knew that this would be a top notch program to be involved in,” said Comer.

 

“Farmers Mutual, the Parks and Rec as well as our Patrons of the Parks friends also played a huge role as we are expecting to pass out over 500 vouchers to the kids in our program.”

 

The summer parks program is a 6-week program that started on June 20 and will wrap up the end of July. With seven different sites located throughout Harrison County, 500 kids are getting a place to spend their summer months playing with friends, doing arts and crafts as well as participate in some of our enrichments provided by the parks and rec staff.

 

“The program has been in existence for years and it is the staple of what parks and recreation is all about. We have many sites in the area to provide a place close to where kids live as well as provide them with a lunch and snack through the day. Our goal is to keep kids active, meet new friends and most importantly, have fun in the process,” said Comer.

 

Food service is provided through the Harrison County Board of Education, who has worked with parks and rec for the last three years.  All meals provided are similar to the lunches during the school year and all meet the state’s standard requirements. The meal is free to the kids and it provides them with nutrition while on the go.

 

“The shoes for the kids are just another way to show how much we care for the children,” said Comer. “And through the help of our companies who are spearheading this program, we will be able to not only make a summer memorable for them, but provide those with a new pair of shoes to help them make the most of the school break.”

 

For more information about the parks and recreation programs, please feel free to contact the department at 304-423-7800.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured is Harrison County Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Doug Comer with the vouchers being given out.