Third grader is recipient of "Hand it On" | Community Spirit

Shakera Smith, a third grader at Redemptorist Elementary School, was nominated for WAFB's "Hand it on". She received $300 for her project --collecting shoes for orphans in Africa.

Smith was watching the Disney Channel when she saw a story about a little girl who was collecting shoes for orphans.

The eight-year-old decided then and there that she would do it too.

“I wanted to help people in Africa,“ said the third grader at Redemptorist Elementary School in Baton Rouge.

She started by asking her grandmother Cheryl Hawkins for help.

The two began collecting shoes in June. Since that time, Smith has received more than 300 pairs of shoes. Her goal is to reach 500.

“It made me feel so proud because this is my granddaughter coming to me and it was totally her idea,” Hawkins said. “She’s always been a good child.”

Smith’s church family, Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge, and her school also helped gather  the shoes.

The shoes will be shipped to Nigeria.

For more information, call (225) 252-9299 or send an email Hawkins at nanauv2@yahoo.com.
 

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