Wantagh Booster Club Organizing Shoe Drive

The Wantagh Athletics Department and the Wantagh Sports Booster Club are conducting a shoe collection drive through December. WSBC will earn funds based on the number of pairs collected, as Funds2Orgs will purchase all of the donated shoes.

Funds will benefit the athletic program and weight room update. The community can help by donating gently worn, used or new shoes at the Wantagh High School Athletic Office.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations. Funds2Orgs helps impoverished individuals start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other Central American and African nations. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school.

“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Maureen Conklin and Kate Powell, WSBC co-presidents. "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us and help those less fortunate become self-sufficient.”

Jennifer Keane, Wantagh director of health, physical education and athletics, said that by donating shoes to the Wantagh Athletics Department and to the WSBC shoe drive, the shoes will be given a second chance and will make a difference in people’s lives. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” Keane added.

All donations can be dropped off at the Wantagh Senior High School Athletic Office.

Photo: Jenny Cestnik