Thirty-four kids were selected for the Boots for Scholars event.

WARSAW —Thirty-four local kids got to pick out new shoes thanks to the Kosciusko County Board of Realtors.

KBOR partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana to give 34 Kosciusko Littles $30 gift cards to Shoe Carnival. The fourth annual Boots for Scholars event kicked off at 9 a.m. Nov. 12, at the Warsaw Shoe Carnival located off of North SR 15.

The 34 kids, who were chosen by BBBS, received $30 gift cards to pick out any items in the store they wanted. For parents who wanted to purchase more than the gift card, KBOR also handed out coupons for $10 off of $59.99 spent. Shoe Carnival staff was available to fit children’s feet and to help find products. The store opened an hour early just for the event.

“Shoe Carnival has been amazing. I can’t say enough good things about them,” stated KBOR broker Marcia Anderson. “The kids get to come and pick out what they want, whether it’s shoes or boots, and they’re allowed to get socks and things as well. It’s a great partnership.”

After the kids were finished with their shopping spree, Anderson held a small party at the Caldwell Banker office. “There’s plenty of food and balloons, and we give away a few prizes,” said Anderson.

Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is “to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.”