The event will officially mark the beginning of the church’s mutli-week long shoe drive. Church officials noted that anybody from the community is welcomed to attend the kickoff, or clear out some old shoes and clothes so that they can be given to those in need.

The shoe drive will officially kick off during the St. Nicholas Celebration Service, which will take place on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. The service is to be led by the children of St. Luke’s Parish, and will begin with a special children’s sermon explaining the real story of St. Nicholas. Jessica Frederick, curate for Children,Youth and Families, stated that one of the children of the church will introduce St. Nicholas, and tell his story. After, St. Nicholas will join the group for the remainder of the service. Frederick stated that children will be able to come forward, sit with St. Nicholas, and ask him questions that they have. Frederick has been collecting questions from the children for the last couple of weeks, and will be reading them off for St. Nicholas to answer. During the service a lively song about St. Nicholas will also be sung by the children’s choir.

St. Nicholas is a third-century saint, who was known for philanthropy and kindness. A specific story of St. Nicholas that will be celebrated is that when he helped some young women who were struggling to be wed. The Rev. Luke Fodor stated that the story goes that three sisters were upset that they were unable to find husbands because they did not have a dowry. This essentially meant that the girls were trapped in poverty, said Fodor. When St. Nicholas heard of these girls’ troubles, he wished to anonymously help the women in some way. Therefore, St. Nicholas bounced coins through the women’s windows and into the stocking left out to dry over the fireplace. It was with these coins that the women were able to present a dowry and get married.

“It’s just this kind of incarnated manifestation of love and of care,” said Fodor. “You learn how to walk in the shoes of St. Nicholas, and begin to remember that love and charity are bigger than just the gifts that we give.”

Children’s shoes lined up along the stairs, and filled with treats for the kids to discover upon their return.

This story has spawned traditions in both the United States and Europe. Fodor stated that one tradition sees children taking off their shoes the day before St. Nicholas Day and leaving them around somewhere. When the children would wake up the following day, they would come to find various treats and goodies in their shoes, said Fodor. Fodor noted that, following the service, children will leave their shoes on the chancel steps, in accordance with the ancient tradition. When the children return from various activities they will likely find some special treat inside of the shoes, said Fodor.

There will be a variety of St. Nicholas-themed crafts and activities available for children in the undercroft following the service. These activities will include decorating St. Nicholas cookies, a gold coin tossing game, bishop’s hat making, and the opportunity to talk to, and get a photo with, St. Nicholas.

This theme around St. Nicholas has a deep tie to the ultimate purpose of this event, which is to kick off the shoe drive for the church. Fodor stated that the inspiration for the event came from the want to help people in some way that has a connection to St. Nicholas, leading them to choose shoes. The church will be collaborating with a group called Soles4Souls, said Fodor. This group will ensure that the shoes are able to see a second life. This will largely be through redistribution in the global south, according to Fodor. Fodor stated that he understands that not everybody has the ability to come out on one day. Due to this donations will be accepted from St. Nicholas Day until the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2026.

“When we actually come together as a community, you can have a major impact. And so that’s the lesson we’re trying to teach not just to the children of the parish and the community, but also the whole congregation,” said Fodor.”So if you have old shoes that are just sitting in your closet,and you aren’t sure what to do with them, come drop them off. We’ll collect them.”

Frederick also made note of the clothesline program, for anybody feeling extra generous in the spirit of St. Nicholas. The clothesline program is just as it sounds, a clothesline hanging outside of the parish house. The line is restocked with hats, coats, gloves, and necessary clothing items, which are free for people to take if they are in need. The clothes are mostly from individual donations that people can bring into the church. Frederick stated that about 400 winter clothing items were given away through the program last year, and encouraged anyone with the ability to try to donate some items to it as well.