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Professional Outfitters and Variety Shoppe Launches Fundraising Shoe Drive to Raise Funds, Support Microenterprise in Developing Nations and Help the Environment

The public is invited to participate in a shoe collection drive to benefit Professional Outfitters and Variety Shoppe beginning February 20, 2014

Professional Outfitters and Variety Shoppe, a program of the Franklin Center of Beaver County,  is conducting a shoe collection drive on February 20, 2014 through May 9, 2014 to raise funds  in order sustain the mission of providing clothing and other basic tangible items to individuals in transition while also benefiting microenterprise ventures in developing nations and keeping old shoes out of local landfills.

Individuals can help by donating at 1035 Third Avenue New Brighton, PA  15066 or the Franklin Center, 524 Franklin Avenue Aliquippa, PA  15001.

In the US alone, approximately 630 million pairs of shoes are thrown away per year. The materials used to manufacture a pair of shoes are created from chemical compounds, the kind that will create health hazards if left to disintegrate openly or in landfills. By donating gently worn shoes to the Professional Outfitters and Variety Shoppe, what would have gone into landfills will be given a second chance to make a difference.  All donated shoes will be redistributed through microenterprise partners and used in developing nations for impoverished people to start, maintain and grow an enterprise to feed, clothe and house their families.

“We are very excited to be conducting this shoe drive in the Beaver County area notes Valerie McElvy, Program Manager.  “This campaign will raise funds that directly benefit Professional Outfitters and Variety Shoppe.   The additional advantages of diverting shoes from the waste stream and creating commerce and sustaining peoples’ lives make this a win-win for everyone,” said  McElvy. “Our goal is to collect 5000 pairs of shoes, and the only way we can do that is if people step up and help.  So, I am calling on everyone in our community to gather up their unwanted, gently worn shoes and bring them to one of our collection sites.”

Shoe donations can be made at:

Hours:  11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday

Hours:  8:30 – 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday

If you would like to participate in the shoe drive or host a collection box you may contact Valerie McElvy by phone at 724-378-7547 or e-mail vmcelvy@franklincenter.org.

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