Soles for the Soul

One resolution perennially on my New Year’s list is helping the homeless. This year, I am keeping a quarters jar where I will collect stray change that I accumulate. I will then transfer amounts from there to a change box in my car so that I can always have a little something for men and women who approach my car window when I’m at a stoplight.

Gotta Have Sole

This year, I’ve been inspired by another great idea thought up and put into action by a passionate young student. Nicholas Lowinger was just a kid when he visited a homeless center and was struck by the children he met there whose shoes were worn out or who had no shoes at all. Moved to change this, he first donated his gently used shoes. But even that didn’t feel quite right. He was a teen – he knew how important cool shoes are in high school. So he set his sights higher. And he started Gotta Have Sole Foundation which over the past six years has donated 44,000 pairs of new shoes to homeless shelters in 43 states. Over this holiday season alone, Nicholas led a drive that raised enough support to provide shoes for over 1,400 kids. Every ten-dollar contribution buys a pair of new shoes.

To learn more check out http://www.gottahavesole.org/ghs/. Another reminder that young people are ready and able to take on the task of building a better world.

Know other organizations collecting new or gently used items? Share here!