Mars Area Elementary School, working in partnership with the Mars Area Centennial School FOR (Friends of Rachel) Club, collected 4,250 pairs of shoes as part of Shoe Drive fundraiser, held Feb. 4-15.

Fourth-graders in several Mars Area Elementary School classrooms spent the last few weeks sorting and counting donations of gently worn, used or new shoes, which will be donated to those living in developing nations through Funds2Orgs. The social enterprise company will make a payment to the schools based on the weight of the shoes collected and the schools will donate all proceeds to a yet-to-be-determined local charity.

As the students have been engaged in the “Rachel’s Challenge” positive school climate program, they have discussed ways in which they can show acts of kindness and give back through a fundraiser or other activity, said Stephanie Graff and Jamie Waters, who coordinated the Shoe Drive, along with their fellow fourth grade teachers Chris Petrini and Jennifer Renner. The initial goal was to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes.

“We blew away the goal,” says Todd Lape, Mars Area Elementary School principal. “It is overwhelming.”

For more information, call (724) 625-3161.

Shoe Drive Featured on WPXI-TV News

To view the WPXI "Proud to Be From Pittsburgh" segment highlighting the Mars Area Elementary School Elementary School Shoe Drive, visit https://www.wpxi.com/news/proud-to-be-from-pittsburgh/proud-to-be-from-pittsburgh-mars-elementary-shoe-drive/924286140.