Student Athlete Advisory Committee collects 1,500 pairs of shoes

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y.  – The St. Bonaventure Student-Athlete Advisory Committee ended its month long campaign collecting pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls on Wednesday, February 17. The campaign was able to collect more 1,500 pairs of shoes.

The SAAC asked for donations by the campus and surrounding community of ‘gently worn' shoes taking up extra space in the closet. Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization that facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls can use each and every one of the donated shoes to make a tangible difference in someone's life.

Making the largest donation was the Bolivar-Richburg School District, a local school district in Allegany County. The Bolivar-Richburg Elementary School joined the campaign in conjunction with their “100th Day of School” celebration. Pictures of shoes were hung on the hallway walls to correspond with the collection. Shoes were hung in 1’s, 5’s and 10’s to 100 while students practiced their counting skills. The top shoe collectors were Tessalyn Zelko and Karson Bell. The student population was able gather 800 pairs of shoes.

Allegany School District, BJ’s Wholesale Club, The Mental Health Association of Cattaraugus County and The Olean Medical group also assisted in collecting shoes for the campaign. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee would like to extend their thanks to all who participated in this great drive.