By George Slaughter, News Editor
Roderick Batson, Katy’s franchisee for Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, is looking to donate shoes and clothing to area schools and sports teams.
Batson continues a charitable endeavor started by Natalie Craig of Lubbock. Batson said Craig ran a nonprofit organization called WITS (an acronym for Walk In The Shoes). Batson said sporting goods maker Under Armor sponsored her about three years ago, giving her about $1 million worth of shoes, clothing and more to distribute to Title 1 schools in, among others, Lubbock and the Texas Panhandle.
But not all of the items passed out and ended up in a storage facility. Batson said those items were essentially collecting dust.
Craig and Batson met through their involvement with Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, along with various charities. She reached out to him, she said, and basically wanted to pass the torch.
Batson sent an 18-wheeler to Lubbock to pick up the materials.
“The truck was full of new Under Armor spikes, cleats, shorts, shirts, tights, anything you can think of,” Batson said. “My goal is to get it to as many athletes and students in Houston as possible.”
Batson said he is already sponsoring athletics at Royal High School in Brookshire; TrackHouston, which he said is the largest track club in Houston; KIPP Academy and Hearne High School athletics.
Batson said there are many items left and he hopes to develop a partnership with Under Armor to continue distributing those items.
Batson said her sister, Dana, is coordinating the distribution effort. They can be reached via the Howdy Homemade Ice Cream Facebook and Instagram pages.
Source: news.google.com