TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Christmas came early today on Tucson’s Southside for 225 kids. United Hearts of Arizona hosted their 10th Annual Shoe and Jacket Distribution for kids in need.
Its founder, Maria Vianey Valdez-Cardenas started the event after seeing the need firsthand while working for the Tucson Unified School District.
“Kids coming with zip ties on their pants holding them, dirty clothes, you know, not eating well,” Valdez-Cardenas described.
In 2013, the Shoe and Jacket Drive was born.
“We know the holidays are a hard part for a lot of the families, they don’t have the basic needs,” Valdez-Cardenas said. “So, this is like a little push for the students to feel more confident when they go to school.”
In the event’s first year, a handful of students received a new pair of shoes. Now in its tenth year, 225 students got items. They're students within the Tucson Unified School District, Sunnyside Unified School District, and two charter schools.
The schools selected each student; together, all of them leaving the event with a bag full of gifts which including:
- Jacket
- Pair of shoes
- Toy
- Gift card
- Meal voucher
While at the Shoe and Jacket Drive, they also had the opportunity to meet Tucson Police Department officers and take pictures with Santa in a photobooth.
This was all made possible through donations from the community.
Valdez-Cardenas added, “We are doing it just to make a difference and an impact on our students.”
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Madison Thomas joined KGUN 9 in July of 2023 as a multimedia journalist. She graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2023 with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She has lived in Arizona her entire life and grew up in Douglas. Madison is thrilled to share the stories from the community she grew up in. Share your story ideas and important issues with Madison by emailing madison.thomas@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
