Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Shoe drive provides footwear for those in need
Anytime Fitness partners with Salvation Army to give away shoes
Sometimes somebody gets lucky, and in one case, it was due to the kindness of strangers.
Needing to fill big shoes, a visitor to this week’s shoe drive at the Salvation Army luckily nabbed a pair of Nike shoes, size 14.
The new shoe owner walked in wearing a pair of flip-flops.
“I haven’t bought a new pair of shoes in 10 years or more,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to get running shoes so I could exercise.”
One hundred twenty pairs of shoes were collected by Anytime Fitness, at 1502 West Chester Pike, and along with a donation of 214 pairs of new socks from local Scouts, the Salvation Army distributed the shoes.
Anytime Fitness owner Lou Samba set out boxes and advertised for gym members and the public to donate.
“We feel blessed to be in this position and want to give back,” Samba said. “I’ve always had shoes.
“I don’t know what it is like to not have shoes. We are all about health and fitness.”
Josh Pierlott works with Samba and said the gym’s members were excited to contribute.
“A huge part is taking care of your body and self with proper
foot care,” he said.
Another visitor to the Salvation Army waited patiently at the door with 30 others for a chance to pick out new footwear. She hadn’t bought sneakers in three years.
She said she picked up a “stylish” pair, with pink laces and pink soles.
“They are very kind to give them away,” she said about her benefactors.
Maria Corraliza, Salvation Army Captain, said this was the first time the Salvation Army had worked with Anytime Fitness.
“If you are capable of buying shoes you take it for granted,” she said. “Comfortable shoes like sneakers make you feel better.
“We’re happy that God gave us the opportunity to partner with Anytime Fitness and we are glad to keep on helping our community for the Kingdom.”
The Salvation Army serves 1,000 free meals per month and 30-60 families are served by the Manna for Heaven food pantry.
Paula Hedderick noted that shoes are the foundation of going anywhere.
“We feed people and to give them something as basic as shoes is pretty amazing,” Hedderick said. “I don’t want for anything and if you can give somebody something it warms your heart.”