Mon Valley Care Center launching shoe drive

Organizers are hoping to collect at least 2,500 pairs.

Mon Valley Care Center’s next fundraiser will kick off next week.

Starting Tuesday, residents, friends, families and staff will clean out their closets to donate gently worn pairs of shoes to give them a second chance — and help keep residents who call Mon Valley Care Center home smiling and engaged.

Activities Director Jen Mellinger works with assistant Alexis Cornman and other staff members to offer fun, engaging activities for residents all-year long.

Her budget is largely supplemented by fundraisers like raffles, bake sales, rummage sales, breakfast and food trucks.

“I am given a budget, but I want to do more things, bigger things, than the budget allows,” Mellinger said. “I’d like to get in more live entertainment, get more craft supplies.”

For example, in May she planned a petting zoo for residents and at the end of this month the care center will turn into a carnival.

Mellinger likes to plan fundraisers that don’t require people to donate monetarily. She found an organization online called Funds2Orgs that helps groups plan shoe drives that benefit the care center and help others in need.

“I really liked the idea that would help someone else,” she said. “And for us it doesn’t cost anything and will give us a chance to earn money that we can put to good use here.

“We love the smiles on our residents’ faces when they are enjoying meaningful and engaging activities. It’s rewarding.”

Mon Valley Care Center will collect shoes through Sept. 15. The goal is to collect 100 bags of shoes that each hold 25 pairs.

At the end of 60 days, if they meet their goal they will have collected 2,500 pairs and will receive at least $1,000.

That money will go a long way to bring smiles to the faces of residents, but it goes beyond raising money for their cause and community.

After shoes are picked up sometime this fall, they will be sent to developing countries to create job opportunities.

According to Funds2Orgs, it’s estimated 300 million people don’t own shoes.

“Shoe drive fundraisers help provide inventory to over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs who sell the shoes to support their families,” the organization said. “In turn, they help themselves out of poverty with a hand up, not a handout.”

Proceeds from the sales of the shoes in other countries help the business owners feed, clothe and house their families.

“We’re excited about the shoe drive,” Mellinger said. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they might like to donate to us. By donating, we raise money for our residents’ activities and we have