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WILKES-BARRE — Kenton Lee says that he believes in practical compassion — the small things that make a big difference. While working as a missionary at an orphanage in Kenya, Lee saw that the orphanage couldn’t afford to put shoes on the feet of its children, especially as they grew. That sparked his idea for “The Shoe That Grows” — an idea that evolved into a passion for helping others.

United Way of Wyoming Valley invites everyone in our community to hear Lee’s story of innovation which is helping children in extreme poverty around the world, at its 2019 Annual Campaign Kickoff Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Keystone Ballroom, Mohegan Sun Pocono, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In 2007, Lee traveled to Kenya where he lived and worked at a small orphanage. One day, he was walking with some children down a dusty road when he noticed a little girl in a white dress walking next to him. As he looked down at her feet, he was shocked to see how small her shoes were. They were so small that she had to cut open the front of her shoes to let her toes stick out. That was the day that Kenton thought, “What if there was a shoe that could adjust and expand its size? What if there was a shoe that could grow?” The idea for “The Shoe That Grows” was born.

With help from friends back in his native Idaho, Lee started the nonprofit organization Because International to serve as the structure to get “The Shoe That Grows” to as many kids as possible who are in desperate need of footwear to protect their feet. It was something they were passionate about, but they never dreamed it would be the worldwide cause and movement that it is today. Lee still works full time with his nonprofit to help get “The Shoe That Grows” to kids around the world. All proceeds from Kenton’s speaking engagements go directly to “The Shoe That Grows” to help more kids challenged by poverty receive this life-changing resource.

United Way of Wyoming Valley’s 2019 Campaign Kickoff launches the sixth year of its Poverty to Possibility Movement, aimed at developing long term solutions to reducing childhood poverty in the region by supporting new and existing strategies in the areas of education, income and health. One-quarter of all children in Luzerne County currently live below the poverty level.

United Way’s 2019 Campaign Kickoff is being made possible through the generous support of Wells Fargo, Sundance Vacations, May Brands, McCarthy Tire Services Inc., Discover NEPA, Community Bank, N.A., Geisinger, PPL Utilities Inc., UGI Utilities Inc., Jack Williams Tire Co., The Apollo Group, Aviation Technologies, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Borton Lawson, Children’s Service Center, Commonwealth Health, Luzerne County Community College, Medico Industries, Misericordia University, Panzitta Enterprises Inc., Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Sordoni Construction Services Inc., and the Tambur Family Foundation.

A brief program, hosted by Campaign Co-chairs Tom Makowski and Alana Roberts, will also feature the presentation of United Way of Wyoming Valley’s “Possibility Award,” and be followed by remarks from Lee. The kickoff reception will include food, beverages, and musical entertainment by Big Daddy Dex. Tickets for the event are $50. For more information and to make a reservation, please call United Way at 570-829-6711, or email Mary Price at [email protected]. Reservations are due by Sept. 6.

Inspirational TED speaker and creator of ‘The Shoe That Grows’ Kenton Lee will be the campaign kickoff keynote speaker for the United Way of Wyoming Valley Kickoff Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 12.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Kenton-Lee.jpg.optimal.jpgInspirational TED speaker and creator of ‘The Shoe That Grows’ Kenton Lee will be the campaign kickoff keynote speaker for the United Way of Wyoming Valley Kickoff Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 12. Submitted photo

Staff Report