Crossville Celebrate Recovery is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser drop-off event this weekend.
Shoe Us the Love! will take new and gently worn used shoes from 9 a.m.-noon July 18 in the parking lot of Staples on North Main Street. The shoe drive will raise funds for Celebrate Recovery’s annual Unity Day for the Community.
“Celebrate Recovery will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes,” said Tammy Zitzka, event coordinator.
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise and small business partners.
Zitzka said Funds2Orgs works with such partners to help them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited.
Proceeds from the sales of shoes collected in such fundraising drives are used to feed, clothe and house the families of Funds2Orgs partners. Zitzka said one budding entrepreneur in Haiti earned enough to send her son to law school.
“We are excited about our shoe drive,” Zitzka said. “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 the local non-profit Celebrate Recovery. We have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities as well as keeping shoes out of the land fills. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
She added, “By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to Celebrate Recovery, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people lives around the world.”
In addition to the shoe drive, Celebrate Recovery is accepting shoes from 4:30-6 p.m. each Friday through July 24 at Redemption Church, 75 Commercial Drive.
Celebrate Recovery exists to help people find freedom and healing from their hurts, hang-ups and habits through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The group meets at 6 p.m. each Friday at Redemption Church. The public is welcome to attend.
Zitzka said Celebrate Recovery’s annual Unity Day for the Community will be from noon-4 p.m. Oct. 31 at Redemption Church.
“If you would like to set up a table, we would love to have you,” she added. “The goal of this event is to have as many resources available to the community all in one place.”