News Summary
Keep the Midlands Beautiful is hosting its annual shoe drive until the end of May, aiming to collect 5,500 to 6,500 gently used shoes. The initiative supports communities in developing countries through a partnership with Funds2Orgs, helping local individuals and micro-entrepreneurs. Proceeds will fund cleanup supplies for over 6,500 volunteers, emphasizing community engagement and responsible waste disposal in Lexington and Richland counties.
West Columbia Launches Annual Shoe Drive
Keep the Midlands Beautiful is hosting its annual shoe drive from now until the end of May, with the goal of collecting between 5,500 and 6,500 pairs of gently used shoes. This initiative is part of the organization’s broader mission to maintain cleaner and greener neighborhoods in Lexington and Richland counties.
The shoes collected during the drive will be sent overseas to assist communities in developing countries through a partnership with the nonprofit Funds2Orgs. This organization works with micro-entrepreneurs in underserved areas, enabling them to build small businesses by selling the shoes that have been donated. In addition to impacting lives internationally, the shoe drive also addresses the needs of local individuals who cannot afford new shoes.
Proceeds from the shoe drive will be allocated to cover the costs of cleanup supplies, including litter grabbers, safety vests, and reusable gloves, which are provided free of charge to approximately 6,500 volunteers in the community.
Community Impact
Traude Sander, the executive director of Keep the Midlands Beautiful, highlights the organization’s commitment to community engagement and its focus on responsible waste disposal. Through the shoe drive, residents have an opportunity to contribute positively to their communities while also supporting individuals in need both locally and globally.
The organization conducts regular litter audits in Lexington and Richland counties to monitor litter issues, particularly in rural areas where debris is often more visible. The shoe drive encourages residents not only to donate shoes but to engage in various activities that promote a cleaner environment, such as recycling, secure transport of goods, and litter pickup during walks.
Shoe Donation Information
Residents interested in participating can donate their gently worn shoes at six designated drop-off locations across Lexington and Richland counties. One of the main drop-off sites is located at the organization’s office in West Columbia. A complete list of all drop-off sites is available on the organization’s official website.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful continues to embody its mission of fostering sustainable communities through initiatives like the annual shoe drive, which not only provides essential resources for beautification efforts locally but also empowers individuals in developing countries.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Keep the Midlands Beautiful Shoe Donations
- ABC Columbia: Annual Shoe Drive Fundraiser
- Cola Today: Spring Cleaning Donations
- Count On 2: Where to Donate Supplies
- WLTX: Bojangles Shooting West Columbia Update
- Wikipedia: Shoe Donation
- Google Search: Shoe Drives
- Google Scholar: Community Engagement and Shoe Donations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charitable Organization
- Google News: Shoe Donation Drives
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