Local podiatrists put shoes on others’ feet

More than 700 pairs of shoes will be distributed to local residents in the upcoming weeks as a result of the recent shoe drive led by Ankle and Foot Care Centers.

Ankle and Foot Care Centers, which operates 19 local foot care offices, provided the shoes to the Salvation Army for distribution to families in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

The new and nearly-new shoes were donated by patients, employees and podiatrists from late November to mid-January.

“We received shoes for children, adults, men and women,” said Michael Vallas, practice administrator at Ankle and Foot Care Centers. “This has been a tradition here for 12 years, and we are very pleased to see the support remain strong each year.”

Since 1998, the podiatrist practice has helped local shoppers donate thousands of pairs of shoes to local needy families.

Ankle and Foot Care Centers is the region’s largest podiatric care provider. Its 15 physicians and surgeons serve patients at 19 local offices, located in Alliance, Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Champion, Columbiana, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Greenville (Pa.), Howland, Lake Milton, Liberty, Niles, Poland, Salem, Struthers, Warren and Youngstown.

For specific locations and information, visit www.ankleandfootcare.com.