May 8, 2012. One of the many pleasures of spring is transitioning out of bulky winter wear into lighter, warm weather clothing. As you put away your winter boots and replace them with summer sandals, check to see if there are any shoes cluttering your home. Instead of stowing your unwanted pairs at the back of the closet, share them with those who need them at Mast General Store’s fifth annual Sharing Our Shoes (SOS) collection campaign going on now through May 31.
As you gather your family’s extra shoes during spring cleaning, drop by either Mast General Store in Boone or Valle Crucis, and they will be shared with the Hospitality House and Watauga County Schools. For over 26 years, the Hospitality House has provided emergency shelter services and transitional family housing, operates the Bread of Life Community Kitchen and administers WeCAN – a crisis intervention and homeless prevention program in a seven county region. In addition to the Hospitality House, shoes will be given to teachers and staff members in the Watauga County School System, who will discreetly distribute them to students they know could use a new pair this summer.
Donating your shoes is not only a gift to those in need, it’s a gracious act on behalf of the environment. Last year alone, Americans discarded millions of pairs of shoes.
“We all have unused shoes with many miles left in them,” said Fred Martin, president of the Mast Store. “The Hospitality House helps many individuals who have no way to buy shoes for themselves or their family. Our educators in the school system also reach out to students who could use assistance. At this time, there is so much need. Our employees and our customers are always so generous and eager to share what they have with the people who matter to us most – our neighbors.”
De-clutter your closet, reduce the strain on our environment and lend a helping hand to your neighbors this May by answering the SOS and sharing your shoes at Mast General Store.
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