DANVILLE — For more than a decade, the Vermilion County Regional Office of Education has hosted a shoe drive.
This year, Tricia Keith, the regional safe school program coordinator, added a unique contest.
“I am always thinking of ways to increase our outreach for the shoe drive,’’ Keith said. “How to make people more aware and how to get more donations in.’’
While a number of shoes get donated every year, Keith says cash donations help when they have special order requests like slip-on shoes, Velcro-style shoes and even unique sizes.
“We are also able to share with many of our community agencies such as The Dwelling Place, Fair Hope Children’s Ministry, Crosspoint and Probation,’’ Keith added.
As a way to increase cash donations this year, Keith implemented a challenge between five bars in Vermilion County, where patrons could buy paper shoes for a minimum donation of $1 and that shoe would hang in that establishment for a month. The bar that raised the most money would not only get bragging rights, but also a trophy to display in their establishment.
The first-ever winner was Beth’s Big Four bar on Vermilion Street in Danville with $1,497 raised. The grand total from all five bars was $4016.
“I’m very thankful for the support of my friends at each one of these bars,’’ Keith said. “Thank you Doug Ward, Hideaway Slots and More; Lori Church at the Halfway Inn, Beth Owens at Beth’s Big Four, Scott Damilano at Rosie’s Tavern and Corissa Kinney at Lori’s Sportsman’s Inn. The generosity of my friends and all their patrons was more than I ever could have imagined.’’
Keith noted that Justin and Sarah Mornout with STIR along with Amy and Troy Wasson with The Local Farmhouse also participated in the paper shoe drive for the final two weeks.
Fatman’s Warehouse and Izzy’s in Westville are joining the competition next year.
“The TRUE winner from all of this are the kids, families and our neighbors that will benefit from this generosity,’’ said Keith, noting that shoe drive never stops. New athletic shoes and financial donations are accepted year-round.