Thanks to a local store, some Airdrie seniors are sporting new footwear.
As the COVID-19 pandemic first swept across North America and caused Airdrie residents – especially seniors – to shelter at home, Sole to Soul Footwear donated more than 50 pairs of men’s and women’s OrtoMed slippers to local seniors facilities.
“The slippers are velcro-on and off, so it’s very easy for [the seniors] to get in and out of them,” said store manager Keren Hill.
Hill, who was born and raised in Airdrie, said she was thrilled when owner Abdullah Chybill suggested she give the slippers to Airdrie and Crossfield seniors homes.
“For Chybill to do this for the community and for me, so I could give back and make the seniors happy – it’s very, very kind," Hill said.
The OrtoMed slippers, which retail at $100 for men's sizes and $80 for women’s, were donated to Bethany Airdrie, Luxstone Manor, Cedarwood Station, Fletcher Village and in Airdrie and to Rocky View Lodge in Crossfield.
Each facility received eleven pairs of slippers, Hill said, adding she chose to donate to five facilities so more of the community could benefit from the “wonderful slippers.”
Unfortunately, Hill wasn’t able to see the initial excitement the donation caused among the seniors, but she said the responses she has received since have been unbelievable.
“I went for a walk yesterday and some of the seniors from Cedarwood were sitting outside when I went by,” Hill said. “One of them had received the slippers and said they were overwhelmed and that it was one of the kindest things.”
Brenda Campbell, social and leisure co-ordinator at Rocky View Lodge, said in an email that the seniors were thrilled by the donation. A raffle helped determined which seniors at that facility would receive the footwear.
“Some of them wore them day and night and said they were the best footwear they’d ever had,” Campbell said. “It was such a nice gift.”
Receiving the unexpected gifts at the start of the pandemic helped calm some of the residents who were feeling overwhelmed and stressed, said Carolyn Maki, general manager of Luxstone Manor.
“It made them feel happy and it was an amazing show of support from our exceptional Airdrie community,” she said. “Sole to Soul and the generosity of their staff and management just exemplifies the kindness of the business community in Airdrie.”
