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Couple donates hundreds of free shoes to people in need

To date, they have donated more than 300 pairs of shoes A Louisville barbershop is donating hundreds of free shoes to people in need, not using clippers or scissors. Julius Wilkerson Jr., the CEO, master barber and owner of Big City Styles in downtown Louisville, recently set up a small table to donate some of his own shoes. The Wilkersons have donated over 300 pairs of shoes to those in need since January, and hope to inspire other businesses to follow in their footsteps. You can drop them off at the Big CityStyles Barbershop at 312 West Chestnut Street in downtownLouisville and drop in at no cost, no questions.

Couple donates hundreds of free shoes to people in need

Publicado : hace 12 meses por David Williams en

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville barbershop is giving back to the community, and they’re actually not doing it using clippers or scissors.

They’re doing it with free shoes.

“I’ve been a barber for about 30-plus years, about 32 years now.” Julius Wilkerson Jr., the CEO, master barber and owner of Big City Styles in downtown Louisville, explained.

He and his wife Sondra have been married for about 26 years and have three adult sons, and will soon have 12 grandkids. You can tell his heart is on a mission to do something for others.

“It’s a community service. I love to make people feel good about themselves,” Wilkerson explained. “I consider myself an artist-extreme.”

They’ve been downtown for 25 years, but recently Julius was inspired to do something for his community.

“If you notice, I’m cutting in the window here, and I see people walk by here all the time and some of their shoes are falling off their feet. Some people don’t have nice shoes. If they have shoes on at all sometimes,” Wilkerson said.

In January, Wilkerson set up a small table to donate some of his own shoes. Then, his wife saw the good, and wanted to donate her own shows.

“So, I just wanted to do a small gesture, and show that you want to be the change that you want to see. You want to see change in the city of Louisville, you have to be that change sometimes,” Wilkerson explained.

Since January, the Wilkersons have donated over 300 pairs of shoes to people in the community who are in need.

The Wilkersons regularly put a table with donated shoes of all types and sizes, right outside for anyone who needs it. No cost, no questions. They have a large handwritten sign that simply says, “Need shoes? They’re yours.”

“This town blesses people more than anybody I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Jim Middleton.

Spectrum News 1 was there as Middleton picked out a pair of shoes he needed within minutes of the Wilkersons setting up the table outside.

“But help here, it’s like a godsend. I pray all the time and I get everything every day. Not what I want, but what I need,” Middleton said.

The Wilkersons hope to inspire other businesses to follow in their footsteps.

“Well, it always feels good to give back and to help people who might be less fortunate,” said Julius’ wife and co-owner, Sondra.

Julius Wilkerson echoed his wife’s heartfelt sentiment. “There’s no greater feeling. It’s just made me feel so good, I can’t describe it,” he said.

They say the donated shoes they collect at the barbershop will go to the Healing Place in Louisville, so there’s a direct link to an organization that needs the shoes.

Wilkerson said anyone can donate gently used or new shoes of all types and sizes.

You can drop them off at the Big City Styles Barbershop at 312 West Chestnut Street in downtown Louisville. Wilkerson said the best days are Thursdays through Saturdays.

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