The Minnewaska Music Boosters are accepting gently used shoes now through February 4. Donations of gently worn, used, and new shoes will be accepted. Shoes can be dropped off at Minnewaska Area High School or at special “Shoe Drive Thrus” on January 13 and 20 from 10am to noon at Tom’s Market in Glenwood. 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 their own businesses.

“It’s a win for everyone involved,” said Mary Lisa Cochran co-chair of the fundraising committee. “It’s a chance for people to clean out their shoes and for us to raise money for the K-12 Minnewaska Music Department.” Cochran says that shoes with the soles separating or holes from overuse cannot be accepted. “We can take shoes of any size or kind, but they must be fairly clean and still wearable.” Cochran also notes that shoes that have laces should be tied together. “Of course, we will still take them, but it’s a big help to us when they are tied together.”

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.