Elementary students receive shoes in honor of Noah Farrelly

BINGHAMTON (WBNG) - On Thursday, nearly 30 students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary received a new pair of sneakers in honor of Noah Farrelly, a 2018 Binghamton High School graduate who lost his life after being struck by a vehicle while on a training run at Stony Brook.

“As a grieving parent, having these beautiful things to do in his name, they really are what enabled me to get through this,” said Noah’s mom and President of the Noah Farrelly Memorial Fund Bridgette Farrelly-Hess.

Farrelly’s Feet program began is 2019.

“We made out first donation of 50 pairs of shoes and then we since expanded our program to all of the elementary schools in the district With everything we are donating in the spring, we’re at something like 585 pairs of shoes,” Farrelly-Hess said.

The program is a way to ensure all students have a safe pair of shoes while encouraging safety and spreading Noah’s story.

“This program enables students to really get a brand new paid of sneakers - which is sometimes not the case,” said Thomas Jefferson Elementary Principal Richelle Acquistl. “It’s something for them to be proud of - especially now in the spring as they start to get outside and are able to be active.”

At the end of the day, Noah’s mom said it’s about spreading her son’s legacy.

“He had a short life, but because of his story, he is able to impact the lives of many, many other people,” Farrelly-Hess said.

By the end of 2022, Farrelly’s Feet is expected to hand out its 600th pair of sneakers.