SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - A shoe-drive fundraiser goes beyond raising money for a cause or community. After the shoes are collected, they are sent to families in developing countries, where they help to create job opportunities. Shoe drives provide inventory to more than 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs in the reuse economy, giving people a hand up, not a handout.

Girl Scout Troop 3889, consisting of seven seventh-grade Cadettes, worked for more than two months to collect lightly used shoes. The girls are part of the Land Park Service Unit which includes the Greenhaven/Pocket neighborhood.

This has been a major fundraiser for the troop, with 1,325 pairs of shoes collected. The girls sorted the shoes, secured them in pairs with rubber bands, and packed 25 pairs into each bag, ultimately filling 53 bags for Funds2Orgs, which distributes them in developing countries.

The troop placed collection bins throughout the Land Park and Greenhaven/Pocket neighborhoods, and parents helped to spread the word online. Bins were hosted by a member of the Kiwanis Club, South Sacramento Pet Hospital, In-Shape Family Fitness at the Elk Grove Laguna Club, All Saints Episcopal Church and Elks Lodge No. 6.

Co-troop leader Amanda Jack said, “It was nice to see all the shoes come in.” Their most productive site was the Sacramento Elks Lodge No. 6 in the Greenhaven/Pocket neighborhood. The Cadettes’ drive was supposed to end in mid-March, but due to its success, it ended early.

Gina D’Arcangelo, secretary of Elks Lodge No. 6, helped to coordinate communication with members. The lodge, part of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Sacramento, has a long history of community service and charitable activities.

D’Arcangelo shared the following message with lodge members: “Due to the overwhelming generosity of our members, the Land Park Girl Scout Troop 3889 is ending the shoe drive earlier than planned. Friday, March 6, is the last day to drop off shoes in the office. Thank you, everyone, for supporting this worthwhile campaign.”

D’Arcangelo added, “Thanks again, and don’t forget to support the Girl Scouts’ cookie drive, too!”

Clayton Hablitz, Elks 6 chaplain, said, “The gently used shoes will be sorted by condition and type, and usable shoes will be donated to local charities or organizations in need.”