Shoe Drive Fundraiser to Help Madison Travel Baseball Team

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

MADISON, CT - Madison Travel Baseball 10U Tigers is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser until June 26th to raise funds for their trip to the AAU Grand National Championship Tournament, Orlando, Florida.

The 10U Tigers will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected. Those dollars will defray the costs of competing in the tournament.

Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at 94 Warpas Rd, in Madison - just leave them in the driveway.

The 10U Tigers recently won the Northeast National AAU Qualifier Tournament and finished on top with four decisive wins giving them an automatic bid to the AAU Grand National Tournament.

"To have the chance to compete on the national level is going to be an experience that these boys will never forget and without question will be fantastic for the advancement of baseball in our community," said head coach Marc Markovitz.

"We are honored and truly looking forward to representing Madison Travel Baseball and the entire Madison community when we take the field in Florida."

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited.

Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school.

"We are excited about our shoe drive," said Kate Patla, fundraising coordinator. "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us.

“By doing so, we raise money for a once in a lifetime chance for these boys, and teach them that they need to work for what they want. In addition, we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It's a win-win for everyone,” said Patla.

By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to the 10U Madison Tigers, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world.

To learn more about the shoe drive, go to http://ourshoedrive.com/madison-travel-baseball/