Sneaker Shoe Collection Kicks Off
The Salvation Army of Elkhart is holding a sneaker shoe drive fundraiser beginning May 17 and running through September 30 to raise money for our local Emergency Assistance Services program. The Salvation Army will earn funds based on the total quantity of gently worn, used, and new sneakers collected. GotSneakers, a social enterprise, will issue funds in compensation for the collected sneakers. Anyone can help by simply donating gently worn, used, and new sneakers.
A fundraiser kick-off event will take place on Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at The Salvation Army building located at 300 N. Main Street in Elkhart. This event is in conjunction with National Salvation Army Week, which takes place this year May 13-17. Present will be representatives from The Salvation Army as well as from companies and organizations serving as shoe collection sites.
Shoe collection partners include Lippert Components, Voyant Beauty Products, Label Logic, Inc., Madden Engineering, Trinity Lutheran School, and Elkhart Miracle Baseball Team. The Salvation Army of Elkhart will also be a collection site for shoe donations.
GotSneakers has developed a unique fundraising program that asks communities to reach into their closets, not their pockets! The sneaker recycling program helps keeps sneakers out of landfills, which has harmful effects on our environment, and helps organizations like ours raise much needed funds. Learn more about GotSneakers by visiting their website at www.gotsneakers.com.
“We are excited about our sneaker drive fundraiser,” said Ron Sherck, Development Director for The Salvation Army. "We are inviting other businesses, organizations, clubs, and schools to become shoe collection partners. We provide collection bins and promotional materials and will pick up all collected shoes. We know that most people have extra sneakers in their closets they would like to donate rather than throw away. By doing so, we raise money to help local individuals and families in need as well as help the environment. It’s a win-win for everyone!”