The Minnewaska Music Boosters are accepting gently used shoes now through February 4. “This is such a great fundraiser because no one has to buy anything!” said Mary Lisa Cochran, music booster member. “We are very thankful for the generous donations we’ve already received from the community.” Donations of gently worn, used and new shoes will be accepted. “We can take shoes of any size or kind, but they must be fairly clean and still wearable,” said Cochran. She also notes that shoes that have laces should be tied together. “It’s a big help to us when they are tied together.” Shoes with the soles separating or holes from overuse cannot be accepted.

Shoes can be dropped off at Minnewaska Area High School or at a special “Shoe Drive Thru” on January 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Tom’s Market in Glenwood. According to Cochran, “Donors won’t even have to get out of the car. We will be right there to unload, and they can get on with their day.” The amount of money raised is determined by the total weight of the shoes collected. All donated shoes will be redistributed to microenterprise partners through Funds2Orgs, a for-profit social enterprise, and used in developing nations for impoverished people to start businesses.

The Minnewaska Music Boosters are a parent-teacher organization formed to raise money to support music in Minnewaska Schools. “Participation in music teaches our kids to listen, watch and work together. Students develop life-long skills and self-confidence in band and choir,” said Cochran. Music Booster funds help pay for instrument repair, sheet music, uniforms and travel expenses.