THIS PAST July, people gathered behind the First Baptist Church on East Market Street in Lebanon, after years of attending the Salvation Army Church-Mary Chaffin Chapel in Upton Heights. They come not for worship, but for something just as sacred: the chance for their children to walk into a new school year with dignity, confidence, and a fresh pair of shoes.
These families are the blessed recipients of the annual Dewaal Shoe Giveaway that takes place annually in conjunction with the Wilson County Salvation Army. For more than three decades, the event has provided thousands of children in Wilson County with new shoes, socks, and undergarments; items many families might otherwise struggle to afford.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The ministry’s story begins in 1993, when Becky Dewaal and her friend, Bertie Alligood, noticed a troubling reality. While their own children prepared for school with new clothes and shoes, many children living in the Upton Heights housing community had little more than worn-out sneakers or none at all. Becky, a mother of six, couldn’t shake the image of kids starting school without the basics.
“She observed that the kids didn’t have shoes, or if they did, they were in really bad shape,” said John Dewaal, the late Becky Dewaal’s husband and current leader of the ministry. “It bothered her. She thought, ‘Well, I can do something. I can give some shoes and socks for the children.’”
What began with a few pairs of shoes in the back of Alligood’s station wagon quickly grew. The Potters House Ministry, now operated by the Wilson County Salvation Army, recognized the effort as a powerful outreach. Soon, First Baptist Church of Lebanon joined in, offering financial support. From those small beginnings, the annual giveaway was born.
GROWTH THROUGH COMMUNITY
Over the years, the event has blossomed into a community-wide effort. Nonprofits, schools, churches, businesses, and volunteers have all pitched in. What started as a handful of donations now serves hundreds of children each summer.
Last year alone, more than 500 pairs of shoes were distributed to approximately 150 families. “Right now, we’re serving around 500 kids,” said John. “It’s amazing to see how it’s grown.”
The giveaway is about more than footwear. It’s about dignity, belonging, and the belief that every child deserves to start school feeling cared for. John stated that the impact is twofold.
“Yes, it helps the children,” he said. “It gives them a deep sense that someone loves them and cares about them. But there’s a much bigger impact on the volunteers. We get youth groups — young people from many different denominations and backgrounds. They recognize that God loves all people, and they get to see what I call a small picture of heaven, that people from all races and cultures work together to care for His children.”
FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE
The journey hasn’t been easy. John said that there were times he wanted to quit. Personal struggles, including the death of his wife, Becky, and the unexpected passing of their daughter two years ago, weighed heavily.
“I’ll be honest, there are times when I wanted to quit,” he said. “Just because I’m a believer in Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t have struggles. When Becky died, I had six kids and was trying to run a business. Later, when our daughter passed away, it was devastating. But the Lord would not let this go away. His faithfulness has kept it going.”
John added that he has been blessed with his present wife, Jan, who also shares his heart for helping families in need, and according to John, has been a huge blessing for the organization.
“Thanks to Jan, the event is more organized than ever,” he said. “It used to be a little more helter-skelter,” he admitted. “She has given her heart and soul to the organization. We just find that the Lord provides every year.”
A LIVING LEGACY
Though Becky passed away years ago, John said her vision lives on, and he is confident that she is aware of how that vision continues.
“I know she is thrilled in heaven,” said John. “There is no great institution that cares for people that didn’t start with one person’s heart and passion. The giveaway is no different. We’re not Yale University or the Red Cross, but even those institutions started with one person doing something practical to care for people. That’s how God works.
The impact is generational. John recalled a young girl who received shoes as a child. Years later, she returned with her own baby, sharing a testimony of how the giveaway had touched her life.
“That’s what keeps us going,” John said. “It’s not just about shoes. It’s about showing families that they are loved.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As the plans get underway for the 34th annual giveaway, John remains committed to the mission.
“We always trust the Lord to provide,” he said. “Every year, He shows us what we need to adjust, what we need to change, to meet more needs and help more families.” GN
