The West Hartford elementary school community donated several thousand pairs of shoes to programs in underdeveloped countries.

Donated shoes in the lobby of Smith STEM School. Submitted photo

By Michelle Bonner

For three months students at Smith STEM Elementary School in West Hartford watched as the pile of shoes near the main entrance grew … and grew … and grew. As large as that pile was, the significance of the footwear is enormous for those who consider a pair of shoes a luxury.

From Dec. 1 to March 1, the students helped collect and fill more than 88 bags with 25 pairs of shoes to be donated to programs in underdeveloped countries through the group “Funds 2 Orgs.” In total, the shoe drive, organized by Smith STEM PTO Chair of Fundraising Rebecca O’Neill, collected more than 2,200 pairs of shoes.

“This was one of the most satisfying and rewarding fundraisers to be a part of,” said O’Neill who has four sons, two who attend Smith STEM School. “To watch the students embrace this effort and realize how easy it is to give to those less fortunate was priceless. The pride all the kids have in knowing that they did something pretty special to help a child who has nothing is an incredibly humbling experience for them.”

Smith STEM Principal Juan Melian and students cart some of the 2,200-plus pairs of donated shoes to a truck to be shipped for donation to underdeveloped countries. Submitted photo

Those students not only collected the shoes, they also learned how the shoes would be recycled, refurbished, and repurposed to promote economic development in impoverished countries while also helping the environment.

In addition to the neighborhood collections that took place by district and magnet families, donations came from: Cub Scout Pack 46 and Boy Scout Troop 146 which collected about 20 bags of shoes; the West Hartford Youth Hockey Mite A Team players; Michaela Morin from H.H. Brown Shoe Company, the daughter of Smith STEM ESOL teacher Leslie Morin, who donated over 125 pairs of brand new shoes; and members of the Neighbors and Friends in West Hartford Facebook group.

“The sheer number of people who wanted to contribute to this project was overwhelming. I can’t thank everyone enough for the incredible effort. This fundraiser would not have been possible if not for the amazing help from Smith STEM Head of Plant & Facilities Services Darold Levesque. Darold was a rock star during this entire process,” said O’Neill.

Smith Principal Juan Melian (in truck) with parent and PTO President Sarah Fite (on left) and parent Katie Lorraine-Mace with her daughter Piper. Submitted photo

On March 11, the 5^th grade students along with parents and Principal Juan Melian loaded up a truck headed for Florida with all the shoes. The school did raise money during the three-month fundraiser, but it was the awareness raised for students about giving back that proved to be far more valuable. The lesson learned by these students allowed all of them to put their best foot forward.

Smith STEM students filled a truck with more than 2,200 pairs of donated shoes. Submitted photo