Dear Editor:

When I started as secretary for The Community Center over a year ago, I knew that I was becoming part of something great. In October I brought a kind of crazy fundraising idea in front of the management team … collecting shoes. I found a fundraiser where if we collected shoes, we would get 40 cents per pound and then these shoes would go over to developing nations through Funds2orgs plus keep them out of the local landfills. They gave me the go ahead and I went to work making boxes, sending out letters and contacting people personally. Our goal is 100 bags, 25 pairs each. Doesn’t sound like much, right? That equals 2,500 pairs of shoes!

When shoes started pouring in I had to find a place to keep them so our volunteer, Kathy Loewe, graciously offered her basement for storage. I have to say there was a lot of skepticism that this wouldn’t take off but thanks to this community we call home, we are up to 66 bags and have collected 1,650 pairs so far. This is unbelievable for such a small community but with help from the elementary school, the Southport school, the Rotary, St. Andrews Village, the Congregational Church, St. Andrews Thrift Store, Creature Comforts Thrift Store, Our Lady Queen of Peace and all who drop off outside of the Center or at our other drop off locations, we are so close to our goal and I just want to thank you!

We are still going strong and still need 850 more pairs but I know we can do it. I also want to thank anyone else who has helped me with this project. The Community Center does so much for the people of this area, I am so happy to be a part of it!

Jennifer Field

Secretary

The Community Center