RICHMOND, Va. - Second Lt. Alexander Henriod never expected to become an instant authority on women's shoes while studying at Fort Lee's Army Logistics University. However, while volunteering at a "gently used" winter clothing giveaway along with 23 other Basic Officer Leader Course students Dec. 7, he became a fast learner.
On that rainy day, Henriod from Las Vegas served as a "personal shopper," helping women inside a tent locate shoes and sweaters at the novel community outreach event along 18th and East Broad streets.
"It was good. I'm glad I came out today, and we did this as a class project," said Henriod. "I started out in women's sweaters and they needed help with shoes, so I moved over. The people were so nice and understanding. Hopefully, my knowledge of women's shoes doesn't go away."
The ALU students - known as the War Hawks - joined about 50 other volunteers to help more than 100 homeless and under-resourced men, women and families obtain a variety of winter clothing including coats, sweaters, shirts, pants, gloves, shoes and more.
The class eagerly agreed to take on the community project, said Capt. Jose Mendoza, the ALU instructor who learned about the event from his wife, Nica, who helped sort and tag clothing a few weeks ago.
"We like to have our classes become engaged in the community, and all members of the class participated including our international student from Saudi Arabia," noted Mendoza. "I helped Nica one night and realized this was an enormous project and one our class might like to take on."
The innovative event was the first of its type in Virginia and was called a "pop-up Street Store" by its two organizers - Anita Kozakewicz and Yvonne Royster. Each man or woman was paired with a volunteer to help navigate the makeshift store rather than have to rummage through boxes. Each person could pick out one coat, a pair of shoes, gloves and an ample number of other items they needed. They also were served lunch.
After setting up tents, racks and tables and carrying out many bags of clothes, the Soldiers assisted the shoppers. Some also were needed to sort clothing inside the nearby offices of the outreach program's partner agency, Help Somebody. They also resupplied the tables along the street as the donated clothing was carried away by those less fortunate.
"Today was definitely good," said 2nd Lt. Brian Betlej from Milwaukee. He was the officer-in-charge of the event for the class. "This was special, seeing the smiles on all the faces. I know there were veterans among those we assisted as well."
Second Lt. Taylor Viotto from Newark, N.J., said, "It was great getting the whole class out. There was a lot of work, but it was nice to talk to the people we were helping out and hearing their stories."
One story came from the first man he assisted. "He kept calling me Chris," said Viotto, the class leader. "We both laughed and he kept saying he was sorry, but said I look liked an old friend of his."
"It's been a wonderful opportunity," noted 2nd Lt. Caroline West from Charleston, S.C., while helping a woman pick out a sweater. "It's not easy finding places that are willing to donate for free like this one. Having something on this scale was very moving."
The outpouring of clothing donations and volunteers who gave up a day to serve those in need was heart-warming for the two organizers as well.
"With the Soldiers here, it was special," said Royster whose husband is a disabled Marine veteran who served in Vietnam. "These young officers serve their country and their community with a great spirit."
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