Happy feet

Santa's helper makes Christmas wishes of 2nd-graders come true with new shoes.
By COURTNEY BACALSO
The Orange County Register
No more holes.

No more rips.

No more ratty soles.

Thanks to "Santa," who paid a belated visit to 20 Sycamore Elementary pupils in west Orange Friday.

In celebration of New Shoes Day, Helen Ramsey's second-grade class wore their new kicks and wrote thank-you letters to Bob Simons in Canada, who donated most of the money to make their Christmas wishes come true.

Ramsey was amazed when she read her second-graders' letters to Santa Claus last Christmas. Most asked for shoes for themselves or family members.

"I expected them to want toys," Ramsey said. "I never thought their only wish would be shoes."

Seven-year-old David Garcia De Jesus said his shoes were ripped at the toes. Miguel Aguilar's shoes were coming apart on the inside.

So Ramsey began a campaign to get all 20 kids a pair of new shoes. Her calls to big companies came up empty.

"They told me that they only made donations to large organizations," she said. "By the time the holidays came around, I had no luck."

While visiting relatives just outside of Toronto at Christmas, Ramsey told her story at a dinner party.

Bob Simons, a family friend, wrote a check for $200, folded it and slipped it beside her plate.

"I was shocked. I didn't even open it until later that evening," Ramsey said.

Simons, 63, says it was no big deal: "This was a selfish thing on our behalf because it was for us (he and his wife Judith) to feel good."

His donation – while not enough to cover all 20 pairs of shoes – inspired others.

The Orange Blossom Auxiliary, part of the Assistance League of Orange, chipped in $75 and Eddie Barron, the manager of the Payless Shoe Store in Orange, donated $15. Ramsey was good for $15.

"I got to see the kids come in and get their shoes," Barron said. "Just seeing them excited was rewarding."

The pupils talked loudly as they showed off their footwear Friday. Andrew Sanchez, 8, and Trevor Bushey, 7, boasted that they got the same black shoes with skulls on them.

"I chose them because I liked the skulls," said Trevor, grinning as he extended his leg to model his new sneakers.

The pupils gathered around as Ramsey took pictures to send to Santa's helpers.

Simons, who is eagerly awaiting the photos, said he and his wife intend to make this a holiday tradition.

"It's not what we did for the kids. It's what they did for us," he said, choking up during a phone call from Canada. "They gave us a Christmas and something to be proud of."

Contact the writer: 714-704-3704 or cbacalso@ocregister.com