Karen Voepel oversees her last Share the Spirit shoe event in Lamar after 23 years

Share the Spirit volunteers pose with Karen Voepel (front row, center) along with Jennifer Steward (front row left) at the September 25, 2026 shoe giveaway

Share the Spirit hosted their annual shoe event in Lamar on Friday, September 25, 2026. It was a bittersweet day for Karen Voepel of Lamar, as it marked the last official Share the Spirit shoe distribution under her watch.  After 23 years with the non-profit foundation she started with her sister-in-law, Karen has decided to step away from the Foundation and focus her energies on her photography business and other charities she has been part of.  Though she will no longer serve as Board President or remain on the Share the Spirit board, she will continue to be known as an honorary co-founder of the organization.  Voepel, along with her sister-in-law Tonya Voepel, started the non-profit foundation in 2003 to provide free footwear for underserved children.  As of 2026, the organization has given away nearly 30,000 pairs of shoes and socks to children.  For these 23 years, Karen and Tonya have focused on serving their home communities in Colorado and Illinois.  Along the way, they have partnered with school officials and teachers along with other organizations to create a one-on-one shopping experience for each child.  Outreach has expanded to over 14 states.  Tonya will continue her role with the Foundation, serving the Illinois and Arizona areas.

Chana Reed, left, and Karen Voepel are all smiles before the event

Before the Lamar event, which has been held annually at J&N Shoes, Voepel addressed the volunteers present, having each one introduce themselves and state how many years of service they have provided  She thanked them all, saying their dedication and enthusiasm were vital to the organization.  She encouraged them to continue volunteering when Cornerstone Resource Center takes over their mission.  She then thanked Jennifer Steward, owner of J&N Shoes, for being there throughout the years, providing the shoes as well as the use of her store for the giveaway. Chana Reed also spoke to the group, giving last minute directions to ensure an efficient flow of students – signing in, having their feet measured, then being assigned a volunteer to assist with their shoe fit and selection. Throughout the event, Voepel could be seen circulating, speaking with students and handing out hugs, as well as taking photos and videos in which she asked each volunteer what Share the Spirit has meant to them.  Following the event, a lunch was held at Casa Azteca as a way of saying “thank you” to them. 

Jennifer Steward, left, owner of J&N shoes with volunteer Rose Ann Yates 

The torch that Share the Spirit has carried for these many years has been passed to  Rosie Gomez, Executive Director of Cornerstone, who will oversee the distributions at the local events.  This is in addition to the current “shoe closet” located in their building, which they have had for several months since they began their partnership with Share the Spirit. The shoe closet can assist families when they are in need. The “Cornerstone Connector” van will also be providing shoes to children in the areas they service, which includes Prowers, Baca, and Kiowa counties.  Volunteers are always welcome, so if you or someone you know is interested in getting involved, contact Cornerstone Resource Center at 719-691-6089.

Rosie Gomez, Executive Director of The Cornerstone Resource Center, will oversee future shoe distributions locally

At each local shoe giveaway, a team of volunteers gives each child an opportunity to pick their own shoes from a variety of styles in their sizes.  Many of these children have never owned a brand-new pair of shoes, having made do with used or hand-me-down shoes.  Having a new pair of “cool” shoes helps these kids to fit in with their peers at school and as such, can give them a sense of dignity and confidence.  The foundation’s motto is “Good shoes take you amazing places”.  The Lamar event ran like a well-oiled machine, with volunteers checking names against lists provided by the schools (prior to the event, school officials identify the students most in need and provide a list of students’ names and shoe sizes). The kids then had their feet measured by another volunteer, while others manned the “sock table” where each child got to pick from a variety of new socks to try the shoes on with.  From there, the kids were seated while more volunteers brought 2 or 3 choices in the correct shoe size so that each student could decide which they liked best.  Parents waited outside unless they had a special-needs child that needed a family member present to assist, so the decision was truly made by the children themselves.  The Lamar event saw approximately 105 kids receive shoes.  Schools represented were Washington and Parkview elementaries, Lamar Middle and High School, Alta Vista, McClave, Granada, and Holly, with each school assigned a specific arrival time. The first group to arrive was Washington Elementary, led in by their Principal, Kenny Davis, who actively participated with helping his students make selections and giving frequent hugs to “his kids”, who clearly were thrilled to have him there.

Washington Elementary Principal Kenny Davis, left, with Voepel

Karen Voepel sharing her joy with students

In Lamar, J&N Shoes has partnered with Share the Spirit since its inception, with owner Jennifer Steward providing the shoes at a deep discount to the foundation.  Steward purchases shoes she feels the kids would like the best, focusing on good-quality, name brand shoes that fit current trends. The younger girls were delighted with the selection of white and pink shoes, some adorned with bling and many with light-up details.  The boys loved the fun versions of black Skechers, particularly the Mine Craft and Garage-themed ones with their neon colored accents.   It was  delightful to watch the faces of the kids as they labored over which shoe was “just right” for them and I swear they walked a little taller on the way out the door with not only new “kicks” but huge smiles on their faces.

By: Barbara Crimond