Old sneakers fit nice for charities

With good intentions, folks love to hang on to old gym shoes.

They could be in a pile in the back of a closet, in a box in the garage or somewhere down in the basement, but unused gym shoes are a product of life for growing families. Instead of just tossing unused pairs, families keep them—just in case. But, life gets busy, and inevitably, a heap of shoes grows.

Fortunately, thanks to Got Sneakers, an organization that buys unwanted gym shoes, that heap can now help.

To raise funds for worthy efforts, local charitable organizations sponsor a collection drive of old sneakers, and Got Sneakers, based in Miami, Fla., buys them. It pays $7 for a pair in excellent condition, $2 for good condition, $1 for fair condition and 25 cents for those that can only be recycled. Only sneakers may be donated. Non-athletic footwear, such as heels, dress shoes and sandals, is not accepted.

The local group receives shipping bags from Got Sneakers, and filled with shoes, the bags are returned via FedEx. Got Sneakers covers the shipping costs.

According to Got Sneakers, its mission is twofold: help charities and keep sneakers out of landfills.

Earlier this year, Christmas Without Cancer, an Evergreen Park charity, sponsored its second annual drive with Got Sneakers. Thousands of shoes have been donated at participating local businesses in the last two years.

Now, another organization is partnering with Got Sneakers to raise funds to support its efforts.

The park advisory council (PAC) for Park 581, a greenspace at 11625 S. Oakley Ave., is collecting used gym shoes until Sept. 30.

The PAC, which calls the space “the Prairie,” hopes to raise funds to support basic upgrades at Park 581, including a walking path and lighting.

Shoes can be donated at the Kennedy Park fieldhouse, 11320 S. Western Ave.; the Morgan Park Sports Center, 11505 S. Western Ave.; and the St. Walter campus of St. Walter-St. Benedict School, 11741 S. Western Ave. Organizers hope to collect 50 to 100 pairs of shoes.

The Park 581 PAC has done commendable work since forming in 2021, and members will mark its second anniversary during their meeting on Sept. 12 at Kennedy Park at 6:30 p.m. New officers will also be elected.

On Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the PAC will host the Prairie Park Surge, a garage-sale fundraiser.

For more information about Park 581 PAC fundraisers, email [email protected].

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