Headstart

Paula Sedillo Wise’s volunteer work with Tennies for Tots is a labor of love that has sprinted across Central and Northern Arizona. The program brings shoes to 3,000 children at 35 Headstart centers in Yavapai and Coconino counties as well as on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Some days, she delivers hundreds of pairs and “the kids are thrilled,” she says.

Sedillo grew up in Flagstaff, where her parents instilled in her the importance of helping others. That was reinforced in her for the rest of her life when her father came down with cancer. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, her dad, James Sedillo, told her, “Don’t cry for me. Cry for the children.” He died four months later.

And thus, the Tennies for Tots program became a tribute to her dad. “Dad, this is for you. I need to keep this program going for him.”

Paula started the Tennies for Tots program in 2018 with four Headstart centers – two in Prescott and two in Flagstaff. “It has doubled each year,” she said. “I do a lot of shopping when shoes are on sale. People will call me to let me know about sales. We just finished our spring distribution.”

That distribution included trips to Headstart centers in the White Mountains, Winslow, Holbrook and Pinetop.

Tennies for Tots also works with the Firefighter Angel Foundation to bring shoes to children in the Quad Cities area. The Firefighter Angel Foundation gives backpacks with supplies to students during the holidays and helps families in need.

Working as an office manager for Good Samaritan Willow Wind in Prescott for 15 years, Sedillo saw the need when she sent her children to Headstart. “Another reason I wanted to help is because I struggled as a single mom.” Her sons are now 28 and 29.

“What’s really nice is after people’s children are helped, they want to help others. It’s nice when it comes full circle and they want to help somebody else,” she said.

Tennies for Tots is a non-profit organization that operates on donations and the help of volunteers. Currently, it has a donor who will match donations of up to $5,000 by the end of June.

Sedillo says the organization is always looking for more support. “Most of the volunteer work involves delivering and keeping an eye out for sales,” she said.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, call 920-420-4360 or visit tenniesfortots.org. Tennies for Tots also has a Facebook page.

LAST TIME I FELT PROUD

I feel proud when we hear that children would have had the same pair of shoes with holes in them if not for Tennies for Tots. Children cannot focus on their classwork if they have holes in their shoes. I’m proud that we can make a difference.

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED  

One of our biggest supporters said, “I like your concept, but you need to focus on shoes and socks.” That helped us. That was huge because we can’t do it all.

MY SUPERPOWER

Making little feet happy.

FAVORITE CHARACTER TRAIT

The generosity of people. Those who don’t have anything give the most. They say, “I’ve been in that position. I want to help.”

FAVORITE PLACE TO DECOMPRESS

Out in nature where I don’t have to think about anything and can just look at pretty flowers. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN