Making the shoe fit
Bluffton University football player Brad Swavel talks with a student at Padua Academy in Indianapolis during a shoe distribution at the school Jan. 27. Roughly 170 students in kindergarten through fifth grade received new shoes—as well as socks and a drawstring backpack—through an effort coordinated by Samaritan’s Feet International and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Swavel, a Bluffton senior from Marion, along with junior Ryan Aelker of New Bavaria, were among first-team all-HCAC players from the 2014 season who traveled to Indianapolis with their coaches for the second-annual event. The student-athletes washed the children’s feet and gave them new socks before fitting them with the new shoes. Each HCAC school designated one conference contest during the season as a “Barefoot Game” to raise awareness and funds. The conference ultimately raised roughly $7,000 for Samaritan’s Feet, a Charlotte, N.C.-based nonprofit. (Photo courtesy of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference)
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, February 20, 2025
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Feb. 12-18
- Special meeting of Bluffton School Board includes land purchase
- Pirates Grandey, Donaldson and Sommers earn district hoop honors
- BAMA donates $700 in tissues to Bluffton Schools
- Village of Bluffton snow safety reminders
- Chamber update: Board representatives and 2025 Chocolate Walk
- Let it Go: Helping control viral infections
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
- George N. Stultz was a business administrator
- Joyce Carolyn LaRue was a homemaker and seamstress
- Ticket information for section wrestling on February 22
- Tickets and livestream information for February 21 sectional boys basketball
- Bluffton businesses spotlighted at February chamber breakfast
- Tickets now on sale for March 21 Music Boosters Chicken BBQ
- Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference March 11-12
- Bluffton Forum speaker to focus on UF History
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
- Sandra "Sandy" Kay Palte worked for Beaverdam Elevator
- Bluffton in Bloom committee meets February 19
- Donaldson and Sommers named to All-NWC boys basketball teams
- Reminder: Senior Center Garage Sale is Feb. 27-28, Mar. 1
- Lunch & Learn speakers announced
- BHS wrestlers are NWC champions
- Clingerman finalist in 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program
Monday, February 17, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025
- Taiko Japanese drumming workshop, February 18
- Pirate boys basketball 3-ball onslaught clips Hawks
- William "Bill" J. Steiner was a teacher
- Pirate wrestlers win NWC crown; 3 take individual titles
- Bluffton bowlers 3rd at sectionals
- 3 Pirates honored on All-NWC girls basketball squad; Grandey 1st team
- Upcoming BPL events, Feb. 17-21
- Letter: May appointed resident preacher for Bluffton Presbyterian
- Girl Scout cookie booths open through March 16