TOLEDO— Upwards of 160 volunteers are needed for our 11th Annual Shoe Fest taking place this Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. to Noon at Helping Hands of St. Louis. The morning will be spent washing children’s feet and fitting them with new shoes and socks to get their school year off on the right foot.
“Last year we provided new shoes and school supplies to over 800 school-age children at our Shoe Fest,” says Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis. “Then we shared 300 pairs of new shoes with area schools, so we pray more donations will come in. We focus on East Toledo families, but no child will be turned away, if we have their shoe size.”
Children must be present to be fitted for shoes, as shoes cannot be exchanged. Face painting, balloons, games and children’s activities will keep the youngsters occupied as they wait their turn. First come, first served.
Volunteers are needed at various times to sort shoes and set-up on Friday, July 26. Volunteers are also needed on Saturday, July 27. Adults and teens (who must be accompanied by an adult) are asked to look at the job descriptions listed and sign up to volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4EA5AA2BA1F85-50158943-shoe#/
Donations of bottled water are greatly needed since the forecast on Saturday will be in the upper 80s. NEW athletic shoes and socks, toddler sizes 10 up to adult sizes 10 are also welcomed. Donations of new and gently used children's books, children’s backpacks and school supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, glue sticks, dry-erase markers, hand sanitizer, tissues and Ziploc bags are also welcomed.
You can drop off bottled water, new shoe donations and school supplies, bagged and clearly marked Shoe Fest, to Helping Hands of St. Louis every day this week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 443 Sixth Avenue, Toledo.
Questions? Please contact Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis, 419.691.0613, ext. 101, or sshrewsbery@toledodiocese.org
