Donate Shoes to Youth United Way: Collection Box in Nyack

NYACK, NY — The Youth United Way clubs at North Rockland, Tappan Zee and Clarkstown South High Schools are conducting a shoe collection drive that will help here at home and in the developing world.

Anyone can help by dropping off gently worn, used or new shoes at the following three locations: M&T Bank, 135 Main Street, Nyack, NY, The Community Learning Center, 9 Lake Road, Congers, NY or in the Cafeteria on the concourse level at Blue Hill Plaza in Pearl River. Collection boxes will be clearly marked. The students are also collecting shoes at their schools.

The drive, which began on Jan. 9, does good on two levels. First, it raises funds for United Way of Rockland. The clubs will earn funds based on the number of pairs collected because a nonprofit called Funds2Org will purchase all of the donated goods.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations.

Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. They sell the shoes, so they can earn money to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school, organizers said.

“We are excited about the students’ shoe drive," said Dr. Lori Greene, Chairperson of United Way of Rockland. "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like donate to us and help those less fortunate become self-sufficient. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

By donating shoes, instead discarding them, the shoes will be given a second chance and help to make a difference in people’s lives.