The San Diego Chargers players took students from 17 elementary schools on a special back-to-school shoe shopping trip.
It was the 27th annual Boltz Back-to-School Shoe Distribution. The shoe donation event helps children in need get new shoes for the new school year.
Nearly all the players took turns helping the students try on shoes at Payless stores across the county. Each child was escorted through the shops by their very own San Diego Charger.
Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers said new shoes give these children a much needed confidence boost.
“Whether it’s your favorite color, your favorite style, it’s like a new hair cut,” Flowers said. “You feel like a new person when you put them on.”
Maria Hernandez, 8, said Flowers was really big and very nice. The pair picked out sea-foam green sneakers with neon pink laces. Number 24 kneeled down to lace up the little girls new shoes — checking to make sure they got the right size.
This is Flowers second year helping out. The cornerback said he does it for the smiles.
“When you can make people smile it just brightens everything up,” he said.
Chargers' spokeswoman Jennifer Rojas said the team helped to give away more than 1,200 pairs of shoes this year. That’s 200 more than last year.
