Caledon Central Public School students collect 1,375 pairs of shoes for those in need

Soles 4 Souls helps people in developing countries launch and sustain shoe-selling businesses

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Students from a Caledon elementary school are taking steps to make the world a better place.

On March 18, Caledon Central Public School launched its Soles 4 Souls fundraising initiative in partnership with Bioped Orangeville. The drive ran for 10 days between March 18 and 28.

Caledon Central's principal, Lesley Kennedy, said Soles 4 Souls Canada turns unwanted shoes into opportunity. 

“Through their microenterprise program, they help people in developing countries launch and sustain their own business selling donated shoes,” said Kennedy.

She added that Caledon Central added a local component to its shoe drive by sharing some of the donated shoes with those in need in the Caledon community.

Kennedy said Caledon Central's goal was to collect 500 pairs of shoes — but the drive was a massive success, with 1,375 pairs collected.

“We shared every day with our students, our parent community and our local community over social media,” said Kennedy. “We are beyond thrilled with this as we know that when we model for students the importance of giving back and the joy that comes from caring for others, their hearts are changed as they change lives of those locally and abroad.”

On April 3, the team from Bioped Orangeville came to Caledon Central Public School to pick up all the shoes for donation, and share a warm thank you to the students.

Kennedy said she was very proud of her student community for more than doubling their shoes-raised goal. She said there was tremendous support from the surrounding community as well, as local churches and residents contributed shoes too.

Kennedy said it's important to connect the school to the community and the community to the school.

The shoe drive was a school-wide effort but was led by students from Tammy Arcuri's Grade 4 class. They went around the school collecting shoes each day, made announcements on the PA system, and promoted the drive through email and social media.

Students from Arcuri's class shared their reasons for participating in the drive, and said helping others who are less fortunate is more than worth it. They said many shoes were just collecting dust and not doing anything so it makes sense to give them to people who do not have as much as them.