BELVEDERE - Six-year-old Alex Thomas sat on a metal folding chair in the Belvedere Elementary School cafeteria Thursday morning, pulling goodies from a Christmas bag.

There were sun shades and Spider-Man bedroom slippers, and a shoebox with "Reebok" across the top.

"Awesome!" Alex screamed as he saw the shoes inside. "Do I get those today? Right now?"

He did, thanks to Operation Mercy, sponsored by North Augusta First Baptist Church.

The navy blue-and-white basketball shoes were perfect, he said. Blue is his favorite color, and he loves playing basketball.

Ashley Sullivan - one of about 50 volunteers at the school - helped Alex put on his new shoes, even taking off his socks and washing his feet with baby wipes before he put them on. That way, volunteers said, everything is new.

While Thursday's footwear was new, the program has been around awhile. It began five years ago, helping about 60 children, and today the church raises more than $35,000 to provide children new shoes, socks and a goody bag. This holiday, Operation Mercy hopes to give new athletic shoes to about 750 children in 17 Aiken-area schools , coordinator Mark Owens said.

"Christmas is about giving, not what you get," Mr. Owens said. "This allows us to give them something tangible that they can use every day."

Ms. Sullivan said helping children touches her. Last year, she said, one child even tried to give back her shoes back because she didn't know if her friends would receive a new pair.

"It was just amazing meeting these kids, because they're so appreciative," Ms. Sullivan said.

Belvedere Elementary Principal Rod Greenway said teachers suggested youngsters who might need new shoes and then sent home permission slips to parents.

When they arrived at the gym Thursday morning, pupils received a goody bag and then met a volunteer who had a pair of shoes waiting with the child's name and size written on the box. If the shoes didn't fit, backups were ready. Several pupils took a jog around the cafeteria to make sure the shoes were just right.

Even Congressman Gresham Barrett, R-S.C., made an appearance at Belvedere on Thursday, and he said he hopes the program can expand to more schools in South Carolina.

"This is more of something that I wanted to do personally, and it makes me realize how blessed I am," Mr. Barrett said. "It is a very humbling experience," he said.