Volunteer Profile: Lauren Smoot

There was no denying it.

Lauren Smoot knew she’d found the perfect volunteer fit the first time she arrived at a New Shoe Day.

“They backed up this box truck, and it was like a shoe girl’s dream,” she said. The August 2025 event was a NSD back-to-school giveaway at the John H. Boner Neighborhood Center providing 250 pairs of sneakers to youth in need. And it was a scorcher.

“It was so hot,” said Smoot. “It was like 110 degrees.”

Given her role as an Event manager with Riley Children’s Foundation, Smoot has a huge heart for serving kids. Get to know one of New Shoe Day’s dedicated volunteers here, in her own words.

Her Why:

“It is a basic human need and right to be able to comfortably fit the feet that literally carry you around all day, that help you move through the world,” said Smoot. “Everyone deserves a pair of shoes that make them feel good. New Shoe Day is filling an incredibly deep need.”

Making It Fun:

While many of the youth were excited by the idea of receiving a new pair of kicks, Smoot observed some were initially a bit more reserved. She was on a mission to help draw them out of their shell.

“I told them, ‘This is your shopping day; let’s try as many as you want to try,’” said Smoot. “I saw their whole demeanor change. It’s about receiving and having dignity. We were just shopping together for shoes.”

And Smoot could tell the day provided parents with a priceless gift as well.

“The stress of back-to-school shopping for families was relieved,” she said. “It’s a worry they didn’t have that night. Discovering how many people depended on this event as their back-to-school resource was really a humbling, incredibly rewarding experience.”

Inviting a Christmas Helper to Her Second NSD:

When Smoot volunteered for her next New Shoe Day at DREAM Alive’s 2025 DREAM Christmas event, she brought along reinforcement: her 14-year-old daughter, Audrey.

“My little gal and I always do something at Christmastime, so she came with me to this one,” she said. “By the end of the night, she was in the stockroom pulling sizes.”

Again, providing more than 250 pairs of sneakers to area youth, the night was a blur of holiday-themed joy that resonated with both mother and daughter.

“When we left that night, Audrey said, ‘Mom, I had no idea something as simple as a pair of shoes can set the tone for someone’s holiday season,’” said Smoot.

“It was really exciting to see her understand philanthropy. I was thankful to have the opportunity to teach my child how to have a servant’s heart. That’s our job as parents.”

Do What You Can, When You Can:

“Casey (Crouse) is great about making the volunteer experience no pressure,” said Smoot. “It’s truly a ‘Come as you are’ approach. If you can give 20 minutes, give 20 minutes; and if you can give four hours, give four hours. That’s what’s magnetic about Casey. He is truly thankful and appreciative for everything.”

The Kids Took Home Shoes; Smoot Took Home Something Far More

“Volunteering has given me so much,” Smoot said. “It’s given me perspective and it’s reminded me that I need this human connection. That I need to be able to connect with children, with mothers, with fathers, with families. It’s about simply showing up for people and adding warmth and grace while doing so. Most importantly, it’s about serving others, because you don’t know when you’re going to need others to serve you. I’m always available if New Shoe Day needs me.”