Once again, Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville), with the support of Arts Herndon, held the Annual Holiday Shoe Drive, to gather new shoes and boots to benefit students in need at Hutchison Elementary School in Herndon.

"Arts Herndon was happy to join forces with our Dranesville Supervisor John Foust once again to sponsor the annual gift card and shoe drive for the students at Hutchison Elementary, said Mike O'Reilly, Chairman of the Board Arts Herndon.

Hutchison ES is a Title I school based on its high percentage of children from low-income families, according to Ray Lonnett, Principal of Hutchinson E.S. With footwear being one of the most expensive items families have to purchase for their children, when parents have to decide whether to buy new shoes for their children or food, the children may go without appropriate footwear.

On Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, representatives of the office of Supervisor Foust and Arts Herndon carried large boxes overflowing with new child-sized shoes and boots into the school lobby and set them down.

After a few photos to mark the occasion, school staff counted the boxes and tallied the gift card totals. "Forty pairs of shoes and boots, $800 in gift cards,” Lonnett relayed.

"I want to thank Arts Herndon and all the generous people who contributed shoes and gift cards again this year. I also want to thank Principal Ray Lonnett and his staff. They are doing wonderful things for the students at Hutchison Elementary, and it is a real joy to help support their efforts,” said Foust.