November 22, 2017 | Chris DeFrancesco '94 (CLAS) - UConn Health

UConn Health Foot Care Specialists Deliver New Shoes to Homeless

The annual Thanksgiving tradition continued this year with volunteers from the UConn Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine  team helping distribute footwear and socks at two local homeless shelters.

UConn Health medical assistant Lori Engengro helps a visitor to the Salvation Army shelter in New Britain try on a new pair of boots. (Photo by Mike Aronow)

In what has become an annual Thanksgiving week tradition, volunteers from the UConn Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine  team helped distribute footwear and socks at two local homeless shelters.

UConn Health cast technician Kathy York laces up a pair of boots at the Friendship Service Center in New Britain. (Photo by Mike Aronow)

Medical assistant Lori Engengrro and cast technician Kathy York were part of a group of foot care providers who staffed the annual “Our Hearts to Your Soles” event at the Friendship Service Center and the Salvation Army shelters in New Britain Tuesday night.

Between the two shelters, five dozen people received new shoes or boots donated by Red Wing shoes, as well as new pairs of socks. Foot exams also were provided.

Our Hearts to Your Soles is a national campaign to provide shoes and foot care at homeless shelters and other service centers. Dr. Michael Aronow, formerly of UConn Health and now in private practice, began UConn Health’s involvement in 2007 and has been the local organizer each year since.