By Mtn Times Staff, The Mountain Times
In the heart of Portland, a heartwarming initiative is underway to help brighten the days of children facing serious illness. The Fuzzy Feet slipper drive, spearheaded by Elite Foot and Ankle Associates, is collecting cozy soft slippers for the young patients at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. These kids are battling various medical challenges, and a little bit of comfort in the form of fun, fuzzy slippers can make all the difference.
The event is currently in full swing and will continue until November 15. While there are multiple donation spots at Elite Foot and Ankle locations, the biggest focus is on the Sandy location, where organizers are encouraging the community to contribute to this special cause.
Julie Lazar, who leads the Fuzzy Feet effort, shared her personal motivation for organizing the event. “At the end of July, I received some horrible news. My nephew’s 6-month-old daughter caught COVID. Her battle with the virus resulted in her experiencing severe heart failure. She is currently at Stanford Hospital in California waiting for a heart transplant. Hearing this made me reflect upon how lucky I am to have two healthy children and how devastating it would be to have a child suffering,” Julie explained. “The Fuzzy Feet slipper drive is an effort to provide something to brighten kids’ smiles when they are in the hospital. While my nephew is not local, Randall Children’s Hospital is a hospital caring for kids like my nephew’s daughter. They will be the recipient of the generous donations from the community.”
Julie’s story strikes a chord with anyone who has ever seen a child struggle with illness. The idea behind Fuzzy Feet is simple yet powerful: to give hospitalized children something small, but comforting — something that brings warmth, both physically and emotionally. After all, when kids are fighting serious health issues, it’s the little things that can bring the biggest smiles.
Donations of new slippers in all sizes are welcome and can be dropped off at designated locations, including Sandy, Portland, Tigard, Beaverton, and Canby. The organizers hope that the outpouring of support from the community will help them fill boxes with enough slippers to ensure that every child at Randall Children’s gets a pair. And while slippers may seem like a small gift, the warmth they provide goes beyond just their cozy fabric. It’s a message of love, care and solidarity with these kids and their families during tough times.
Fuzzy Feet is more than just a slipper drive; it’s a chance for the community to show that they’re thinking of these kids, even if they’re not able to visit them in person. So whether you pick up a pair of fuzzy animal slippers, superhero-themed ones, or just some classic warm ones, know that your donation will make a big impact.
As the event runs until November 15, there’s still time to contribute. Visit your nearest Elite Foot and Ankle Associates location to drop off your slippers, and be part of a collective effort to bring a little extra comfort to children who need it most. Every pair donated is a step toward brightening a child’s day at Randall Children’s Hospital.
The Sandy location is open Monday through Wednesday from 9-5 to accept donations.