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POLK COUNTY— A Polk County woman has helped over 230 students begin the school year with a pair of brand new shoes on their feet.

Donna Wood, a Columbus Baptist Church patron, has a heart and “sole” for children, especially children in need of clothing and daily essentials.

Helping where she can, Wood formed the Hope Chest, an organization operating out of Columbus Baptist Church that has assisted families and children in need since 2020.

Last year, Wood sent nearly 100 students to school with new shoes and decided to make it a tradition, naming the shoe drive event “Fancy Feet.”

The shoes were generously provided by GB Shoes in Hendersonville in the second year, in which the amount of children sent to school with new shoes more than doubled thanks to the shoe drive..

If you would like to sponsor the “Fancy Feet” shoe drive or learn more about the Hope Chest, contact Donna Wood at (864) 436-0616.