DeKalb County Health Department Kicks off “Shoes Share Program”

With the help of the entire community, the “Shoes Share” program will provide gently worn gym shoes to children, youth and young adults who are in need a pair of gym shoes for the new school year. The program goal for this first year is to collect 2000 pairs of shoes from April 7 – June 7, 2014.

The idea for the program surfaced when DeKalb County Health Department staff was meeting with school wellness team members who recounted the numerous times their students did not have gym shoes for their classes. They learned that many of the staff intervened to resolve this concern; however, it became obvious that the need was much greater than their individual efforts. The solution seemed simple: we all know that kids quickly grow out of shoes, why not collect, reuse, and distribute these gym shoes to the community. The concept is environmentally friendly, with shoes recycled to fill a need while being kept out of the landfill.

They are excited to be working with partners who have stepped up to help ensure the program’s success. DIMCO will be providing collections containers, Laundry Lounge has volunteered to wash and bleach all of the shoes, and the Kiwanis Family will be assisting in sorting, organization and distribution of the shoes during July and August. The Food Pantries throughout the county have agreed to be points of distribution for the “Shoes Share” program. The logistics have been completed; the next step is participation by the community.

Help them reach the goal of “2000 Shoes to Share!” Drop off your shoes to your local DeKalb, Sycamore, Sandwich or Genoa Kingston school building or one of the community designated drop off locations. Individual schools participating in the “Shoes to Share Program” will have designated containers at their respective buildings and will be promoting the program through various school media. Not sure if your school is a drop off location, contact the DeKalb Health Department at 815-758-6673. Please note that shoes being donated should be clean and considered gently used. All children, youth and adult sizes are welcomed. If you want to go a step further, replace those torn or frayed laces prior to drop off.

Drop Off Locations: DeKalb County Health Department 2550 N. Annie Glidden Road, Haish Gym 303 South 9th Street, and Kishwaukee YMCA 2500 N. Bethany Road in DeKalb, Sandwich City Hall 144 E. Railroad Street, and the Genoa Fitness Center 333 East First Street during normal business hours from April 7 to June 7.