Rita Hayes Willis reflects back to when she was a child eagerly leaving for her first day of school each year. She was properly outfitted from head to toe.

“There is something about a new pair of shoes for the first day of school,” she recalls.

The 65-year-old Henrico County resident says that’s why she’s so committed to the “New Shoes For Back To School” ministry she started in 2007 to provide shoes for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

It began as an outreach program of the Women’s Missionary Society she led at the time at Third Street Bethel AME Church in Jackson Ward.

“Realizing that many of our youths are being raised by their grandparents, and with the fluctuating economy hitting impoverished areas of inner cities the hardest,” Ms. Willis says she and other volunteers at Third Street embarked on the ambitious project.

The first year, they gave away 785 pairs of shoes, Ms. Willis says.

“That let us know that there was a need,” she recalls.

The second year, two more churches joined in the shoe giveaway ministry.

Since then, it “has grown and grown and grown,” Ms. Willis says.

“To date, we have given away over 47,000 pairs of shoes,” she says. “If there are shoes left, we distribute them to the neighboring school systems to take care of shoe needs during the school year and to local agencies,” she adds.

Today, 13 churches known as the Richmond Partnership of Churches are participating in the shoe giveaway effort. Ms. Willis anticipates more than 3,000 pairs of shoes will be distributed to children at this year’s giveaway.

It is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, at Second Baptist Church, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd. on South Side.

She says some people arrive as early as midnight the night before the giveaway and camp out to ensure they’re at the front of the line.

Each participating church is asked to provide 20 or more volunteers to work shifts at the shoe giveaway, she explains. They serve in roles such as table workers, escorts, distributors, first aid providers and security, she notes.

Ms. Willis stresses that an adult must accompany a child in order for the youngster to receive a pair of shoes

In her professional life, Ms. Willis is the director of membership and events at the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She taught Spanish in Richmond Public Schools for 33 years prior to that.

Here’s a look at this week’s Personality, Rita H. Willis:

Family: I’m single.

Date and place of birth: Jan. 13 in Dinwiddie County.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University; study abroad program at Madrid University in Spain; graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Where one can learn more about the shoe giveaway: Go to Facebook “New Shoes For Back To School Ministry.” 

Why do you hold the event each Labor Day: Because of the excitement of the child boarding the bus the next day with a new pair of shoes.

Churches involved: Third Street Bethel AME, Branch’s Baptist, Broad Rock Baptist, Centenary United Methodist, Ebenezer Baptist, Fifth Baptist, First Baptist (Midlothian), Lyndale Baptist, Second Baptist (South Side), Sharon Baptist, Sixth Baptist, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist and St. James Baptist.

The types of shoes distributed: School shoes for boys and girls, including tennis shoes. No high heels are allowed.

The shoes are donated by: Church members from each of the respective churches and church members’ families. Saxon Shoes has been a partner since year one and donates 100 pairs of shoes each year. Local stores also donate gift cards, give discounts for shoe purchases and we receive anonymous donations.

What is the response from those receiving the shoes: When the doors open at 8 a.m., the kids’ eyes light up like Christmas morning and they gasp with a “WOW!” Grandmothers have said, “I just didn’t know what I was going to do for shoes for my grandchildren for school. This ministry is a blessing — not only for me, but for so many families across the city.” 

What is the biggest challenge holding the shoe giveaway: Keeping it a shoe ministry. If we don’t, people will buy whatever — socks, backpacks, etc., and thus we will not have enough shoes for our young people.

What do you need for this year’s giveaway to make it even better: To make sure we have enough larger sizes for older girls and older guys — sizes 12, 13, 14 and up. 

Definition of a leader: Wear your vision. Others will see it in you and come along to help you realize it. Seek and ask for guidance from your higher power. Make the word “consistency” a part of your being. Proceed if even no one follows — eventually someone will. Listen, smile, exercise, have a sense of humor and read. Be with family — they keep you grounded.

If I had more time, I would: Train for another 26.2-mile marathon. You must run at least 60 miles a week to do so.

Favorite late-night snack: Plain yogurt with natural honey.

Three phrases that best describe me: High energy, community oriented and focused.

What hobbies do you enjoy: I’m a country girl … gotta put my hands in the dirt. I love gardening. I consider running a hobby. I’ve done four marathons. I read three books at the same time, mostly at night.

One thing no one knows about me: I’m really an introvert.

I place top value on: Knowing and realizing my purpose for being sent here.

Book I’m presently reading: “Walking on Water” by Randall Kenan.

Best time of my life: When I would take my inner-city high school students abroad on three-week exchange programs to expose them to the world, but most importantly, to expose the world to them. Their lives were changed forever, and many relationships formed then still exist. 

My advice for success is: When you finish one task, do another. And when you finish with that one, do another. We were not sent here to simply exist. We are here to make a difference. Even if it’s a difference for just one person, it’s a difference.

It makes me most happy when: I’m engaged in a project with others and when it’s realized, it’s like “Oh Happy Day.” Someone or something has been affected by it positively.