ATLANTA, Ga (AP) 鈥� Just in time for the holidays, Ludacris and Mercedes-Benz have surprised schoolchildren in Atlanta with more than 500 new pairs of shoes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about giving kids moments that they鈥檙e going to remember for the rest of their lives,鈥� Ludacris said Wednesday at Miles Elementary School. 鈥淎nd I think today is one of those days that just coming here and seeing the smiles on their faces and making sure that, you know, everything is just given to them and knowing that we鈥檙e here to help and we鈥檙e here to encourage them.鈥�
The rapper and entertainer said he鈥檇 remember the day for the rest of his life, too.
The car company鈥檚 holiday giving program, Season to Shine, partnered with nonprofit Shoes That Fit to provide kids with new athletic shoes to attend school. Mercedes also partnered with its brand ambassador Ludacris and his foundation, The Ludacris Foundation, to deliver the shoes to the elementary school Wednesday.
Since 1992, Shoes That Fit has provided over 2 million pairs of brand-new shoes and other necessities to children across the United States.
鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with Shoes That Fit and to have donated sneakers to students across the country 鈥� this is a tangible step to ensure children arrive at school with confidence -- prepared to learn, play and succeed,鈥� Dimitris Psillakis, president and CEO of MBUSA said in a statement.
The excitement and joy for hundreds of new shoes isn鈥檛 just from the students 鈥� it also has a lasting impact on their educators, as well.
Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Herring, said that this was the chance to 鈥済ive them an opportunity to have great confidence as they walk in confidence through new shoes that have been provided for them.鈥�
Miles Principal, Thalise Perry, said Wednesday's surprise was important to the children's overall education.
鈥淪o when they feel good about themselves, they look good that they will perform high inside of our classroom. So many of our students each day, we look to make sure that we can provide support for them, support for their families. And this is one key way of doing just that,鈥� Perry said.
Nardos Haile And Sharon Johnson, The Associated Press
