Free Shoes, Foot Exams for Homeless

Dr. Lauren Geaney, UConn Health foot and ankle specialist, provides a foot exam at the Salvation Army shelter in New Britain Nov. 25. Foot care providers volunteered at shelters throughout the country in the days leading up to Thanksgiving as part of the national “Our Hearts to Your Soles” campaign to provide shoes and foot care to those in need. (Chris DeFrancesco/UConn Health Photo)
Dr. Lauren Geaney, UConn Health foot and ankle specialist, provides a foot exam at the Salvation Army shelter in New Britain Nov. 25. Foot care providers volunteered at shelters throughout the country in the days leading up to Thanksgiving as part of the national “Our Hearts to Your Soles” campaign to provide shoes and foot care to those in need. (Chris DeFrancesco/UConn Health Photo)

The nationwide “Our Hearts to Your Soles” campaign was organized locally for the eighth year by Dr. Michael Aronow, former UConn Health physician who now practices privately. Joining him from UConn Health were cast technician Kathleen York, medical assistant Lori Engengrro, administrative program assistant Carmen Propiescus, and Dr. Lauren Geaney, foot and ankle surgeon.

Retailers donated the footwear and socks. Between the two shelters, the volunteers provided 33 pairs of shoes and left behind 69 additional pairs. They also took information from 10 other would-be recipients whose sizes weren’t immediately available so the proper sizes could be provided in the coming days