Back in January, we told you about the “Day On” day at John Stanford, where students and their families spent Martin Luther King, Jr. day cleaning up their school and such. On that day, the students also hosted a shoe drive, in partnership with Redeeming Soles, a nonprofit organization that provides footwear to the underprivileged and homeless living in Seattle.
The shoe drive at John Stanford continues, and if you have a decent pair of shoes (no holes, clean laces, etc.) you can donate them at the school (4057 5th Ave NE) during school day hours. The shoe barrel is located just inside the main door.
To date, John Stanford has collected over 300 pairs of shoes and according to Redeeming Soles founder, Scott Sowles, the bin is filled every month by students. In an email, Scott writes, “I’m very excited and proud to see this care for those in need. Thanks Barb Burrill and John Stanford International School for making a sole impact in the Puget Sound area!”
Redeeming Soles is a non-profit organization that Scott began after living on the streets and seeing how something so important as adequate footwear and foot care was virtually nonexistent among the less fortunate. He’s asking for shoes (of any kind–even flip flops, so long as they’re new) and socks that are gently used, without holes or mud and with the shoelaces intact. If you have shoes to donate, please tie the laces together or secure them with a rubber band. New shoes can be left in their boxes.