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Aiken County, SC – Every student at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School received a brand-new pair of shoes at an assembly on March 17, thanks to the generosity of SRP Federal Credit Union team members and the support of the SRP Foundation.

The initiative, led by Interim CEO Liz Ponder and team member Tonya Edge, brought together employees from various departments and branches to donate hundreds of shoes. Board Chair Sandra DeVoe Bland, the Board of Directors and the SRP Foundation also played a vital role in ensuring every child received a new pair.

This collaborative effort extended beyond SRP, as Oakwood-Windsor Elementary’s teachers, staff, and families worked together to provide shoe sizes and favorite colors for each student. By the end of the school day, every child left with a new pair of shoes and an extra sense of confidence.

“At Oakwood-Windsor Elementary, we embrace the fact that in order to grow a child’s academic brain, we must also nurture their physical, social, and emotional well-being,” said Davina Truitt, Principal of Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School. “It truly takes a village to accomplish this, and at OWES, we have the absolute best village around! We are extremely thankful for community partners like SRP Federal Credit Union, who recognize that the future of the world is in our classrooms and are helping to make a difference—one Wise Owl at a time.”

Kristen Mulvey, School Counselor at Oakwood-Windsor, echoed the sentiment: “Our students come from all walks of life, and they know better than anyone that it takes a village to help raise children to be successful. We are so grateful to SRP for helping our Wise Owls walk a little taller, feel more confident in their step, and know that the adults in their lives truly care about their well-being.”

Liz Ponder, Interim CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union, expressed appreciation for the generosity of SRP’s team members and the lasting impact of the initiative. “At SRP Federal Credit Union, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they received their brand-new shoes was truly heartwarming. Every child deserves to walk with confidence, and we are honored to support our local students in such a meaningful way. This shoe drive is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to make a difference.”

SRP Federal Credit Union, headquartered in North Augusta, SC, provides financial services to over 195,000 members. Recognized for excellence in business and community impact, SRP was recently named the 2024 Large Business of the Year by both the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce.

The SRP Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by SRP Federal Credit Union in 2024, serves as a resource to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that support positive change with passion and commitment to the quality of life in our communities.  The SRP Foundation focuses on human services, healthcare, housing, education and those initiatives that empower individuals to overcome barriers and pursue a better life. 

For more information, visit www.srpfcu.org.