October 1, 2026 – For students at Pinedale Elementary School, the new school year began with a fresh pair of shoes and an extra measure of confidence.

About 80 CSX employees gathered at the Jacksonville, Florida, school on Sept. 18 to distribute new athletic shoes and socks to nearly 500 students. Working with Soles4Souls and its local partner, The Giving Closet Project, volunteers helped each child choose a pair, find the right fit and leave ready to take on the year ahead. 

CSX Chief Human Resources Officer Riz Chand opened the event by thanking the school, community partners, and volunteers for creating an experience centered on care and encouragement.

“A new pair of shoes may seem like a simple thing, but for a child, it can remove one more barrier to starting the school year feeling like they belong – comfortable, confident, and ready to participate fully in the opportunities ahead,” Chand said. “Our communities are important to us, and this is just one more way in which we contribute to making them stronger.”

The event was part of Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid initiative. CSX’s support will help provide new shoes to 7,500 children this year, extending the impact well beyond one school and one day. 

At Pinedale, that impact could be seen in hundreds of small moments: a student finding the perfect fit, a volunteer offering encouragement, and a child walking away with a little more confidence than before.

Watch highlights from the event.