FCCLA member Kendall Hilbun is collecting gently worn shoes for a fundraiser, which continues through Oct. 1. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Fourteen-year-old Kendall Hilbun is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser from Sept. 1 through Oct. 1 to raise funds for personal hygiene and cleaning kits to be distributed locally to those persons in need through shelters, food pantries and schools.
A daughter of Mark and Jessica Hilbun of Botkins, Jackson Center FCCLA member Kendall 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.
Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at Wenger’s Produce, 3826 County Road 29, West Liberty; Sidney YMCA in Sidney; Mays PT in Botkins; or Jackson Pharmacy in Jackson Center.
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise 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 Kendall. “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 relief kits that can help people right here in our community, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”