When Katelyn Kruse’s two children, 8-year-old Rylan and 6-year-old Kennedy were visiting their grandmother in the Texas Hill Country during the Fourth of July, they were caught unaware of the coming flood.
Parents accompanied the siblings down to see the rising water, where they witnessed a pair of children’s blue Crocs floating by; an image that stayed in their heads and led to a huge charity movement that garnered the attention of Crocs and Hey Dude’s.
Rylan and Kennedy wanted to give back to those who lost everything during the floods, so Katelyn created an Amazon Registry for people to donate. One Facebook post later, and a news center in Houston caught wind.
Soon, Katelyn was contacted by Crocs and Hey Dude’s, who both donated thousands of pairs of shoes. Thus, the movement was named Little Feet, Big Hearts.
“Crocs even threw in thousands of charms,” said Emily Steffek, the health, safety and communications coordinator for Comfort ISD.
or The family, with donations in tow, worked with the Kerrville Host Lions Club to organize events at Hunt ISD, Ingram ISD, Comfort ISD and Center Point ISD. Every elementary, middle and high school student was able to pick out their own pair of shoes, along with charms from Crocs.
“Crocs made sure we had enough pairs and sizes,” Steffek said. “There were sparkly Crocs and all different colors.”
Katelyn’s pride in her children’s idea is one she says their grandmother shares.
“I am so proud of my kids,” she expressed on a Facebook post, “for everything they are and everything they dream to be.”
She also took the time to thank donors from the community and from the two shoe companies.
But their work isn’t over just yet.
“We are going to Kerrville ISD on Oct. 4,” said Whitney Livingston, with the Kerrville Host Lions Club. “It will be an allday event. We aren’t sure of the location because Kerrville is still recovering, and they don’t want anyone inside the schools just yet.”
The Kruse family still has an active registry on Amazon, for anyone wanting to donate: https://www.amazon.com/registries/ gl/ guest- view/ 3AGCD1293XQ0B? ref_%22cm_ sw_ r_ cp_ ud_ ggr_ subnav- share_K7EXNRY5FDCY1T261KD0
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