Salem students seeking shoes for the needy

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

news@vindy.com

SALEM

The Salem High School class of 2016 has been raising money for a special event since they were freshmen.

As they approach their junior year, they’re in the homestretch — and they hope a fundraiser that helps people in Third World countries will net them the last $6,000 they need for the junior/senior prom and after-prom activities, as well as their class gift to the school.

Through Nov. 15, the students are collecting gently used shoes for Funds2Orgs. That organization sends the shoes to micro-enterprises in developing countries, creating jobs for individuals. The individuals clean and repair the items and sell them, giving families and their communities a way to earn an income and an opportunity for self-sustainability.

Marylou Foster, whose daughter is a member of the class, suggested the fundraiser.

“I don’t want to sell things we don’t need and that are over-priced,” Foster said. “And this is a win/win situation because it is going to help people who really need something.”

Funds2orgs pays the collecting organization for the shoes.

To date, the Salem students have collected about 6,000 pairs of shoes toward their goal of 15,000. They are accepting any type and size of shoe.

“I want the shoes you want to get rid of,” Foster said. “Anything that you would put on your foot: athletic shoes, cleats, volleyball, heels, boots — you name it, we’re taking it.”

The students were excited about the project when Foster suggested it.

“We all have a handful of pairs to give to people who will never live like we do,” she said.

Jarrod Polen, class president, said it was a great idea.

“We can get our community and families to help with this fundraiser,” he said. “Just being able to help others using these gently-used shoes — I thought it was just a great idea, and I’d be happy to help.”

The students have been busy making signs and picking up shoes at collection sites, Polen said.

There’s been a positive response from the community, he added.

“We actually have many drop-off sites, many people want to participate,” he said.

The roughly 140-member class previously has sold T-shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry, coupon books and Christmas wreaths trying to raise $15,000 to $20,000.

The class will sponsor a “shoe-fly-by” at Salem Family Video on Aug. 3. Anyone with shoes to donate can drive up, and the students will meet them at their car to accept the shoes.

They will also be accepting shoe donations at the Arby’s Cruise on Aug. 9. The rain date for that event is Aug. 16.