Shoe drive report: West Seattleites step up to give big

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This morning, we have another report on the results of West Seattleites stepping up to help others – the inauguration-commemoration shoe drive kicked off by “Bob Loblaw” in the WSB Forums. The photo shows a member of the Loblaw clan — seventh-grade student at Madison Middle School shown helping sort the shoes (with community-service credit as a bonus!). Bob writes:

West Seattle’s generous souls donated a total of exactly 100 pairs of shoes, boots, sandals and other footwear during the week-long drive. All will make their way shortly to those who truly need them. Big kudos go to those who stepped up, especially the participating businesses, Hotwire and Full Tilt. It goes without saying once again that West Seattle rocks!

JoB January 22, 2009 (10:32 am)

Thanks Bob for the final count…

and thanks to you and your daughter for picking up all those shoes and getting them where they can do some good…

add January 22, 2009 (11:41 am)

What a cool thing this turned out to be! Way to go!

Gina January 22, 2009 (3:17 pm)

The expression on the child’s face–“only a billionteen more shoes left to sort.”

CarolPB January 22, 2009 (7:21 pm)

Is it too late to donate?

Magpie January 22, 2009 (8:00 pm)

I see my shoes in the front row…kind of a stinky job to sort them! This was a great idea.

Aim January 22, 2009 (8:10 pm)

I echo the question as to whether it’s too late to donate. We’ve got probably close to 50 pair that are in perfect condition — just had to be retired for health reasons.

Jill Loblaw January 22, 2009 (9:18 pm)

What a fabulous idea. You rock. What a great brother-in-law!

BobLoblaw January 22, 2009 (10:04 pm)

Sorry to say, but it is too late to donate for this specific shoe drive. However, please look at the Soles 4 Souls site (http://www.soles4souls.org/) for ways you can help. Also, check out the thread in the forum for other places that will take shoes.
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One of the things I learned from this experience is the sheer number of usable shoes that end up in landfills in the US. There are millions of shoes thrown away every year that could actually end up being used by people in third-world countries. For example, there are thousands of people who dig through garbage dumps in those countries without shoes on their feet. It’s really disturbing.
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And it goes without saying that there an equal number of people in this country who go each day without proper footwear for the work they do and the lives they lead.
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Bottom line is, no matter what you do with your old shoes, please don’t toss them in the garbage. Put them in a collection box. Get them to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. Somebody, somewhere will be grateful.