Nearly 3,000 Pairs of Shoes Collected in Department of Community Services Drive for Shoes 2 Share Non-Profit

From Harford County Government:

(Bel Air, MD) – – On Thursday, October 27 the Harford County Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy, Juvenile Drug Court and Shoes 2 Share presented a Used & New Shoe Drive. Nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes were collected thanks to the overwhelming response and support of the community. The one day shoe drive was extended due to the “generosity from county residents, employees and businesses” which “surpassed my expectations,” stated Jenn Hannibal, Assistant Coordinator of the Juvenile Drug Court.

Tim Wampler, founder of the non-profit Shoes 2 Share organization, exclaimed “This was the single most successful shoe drive for Shoes 2 Share!” Shoes of any size, in any condition, and any style (except skates) were collected to help those in dire need locally, domestically, and around the world; new socks and shoelaces were also accepted. After the shoe drive was complete, the shoes were transported to a warehouse to be sorted by volunteers and then shipped around the world to those in need.

The Harford County Drug Court system hosts annual donation drives to “strive to instill accountability in the lives of our clients, thus making a difference in the community by becoming more productive members of society,” stated David Mitchell, Coordinator of the Drug Court. “It was our hope that we would raise the conscience in our clients to develop an appreciation for helping others in need,” continued Mitchell.

Clients and staff of the Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy, Juvenile Drug Court helped with the shoe drive by transporting, counting, sorting, packing, and loading the shoes. Special thanks to Joe Ryan, Manager, Office of Drug Control Policy, Charm City Run, Michele Goodwin and the States Attorney’s Office, Cathy Marll and the Department of Juvenile Services, St. James AME Church, Mary Frances Tracy and the Battelle Center (BEST) in Aberdeen, and to those who donated in honor of the late Amy Paul of Havre de Grace.

The Harford County Department of Community Services, Drug Court clients and staff thanks everyone who donated to Shoes 2 Share and helped make a difference in the lives of others.

Shoes 2 Share is a grassroots, charitable ministry seeking to make life more comfortable around the world, for children and their families, through the donations of “new and like new shoes.” Shoes 2 Share has a growing beneficiary list that includes international and domestic programs who receive these shoes so individuals are able to participate in school, church, sports, work, or just have everyday footwear protection when they may otherwise have to go barefoot.

For more information on Shoes 2 Share, visit www.shoes2share.org.

The Juvenile Drug Court is funded through the Harford County Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy, and is a free program to offenders who are involved with Juvenile Services and on probation. In years past, staff and participants at the Juvenile Drug Court have conducted many “donation drives.” They have collected food, clothes, baby items, books, Shoe Boxes for Soldiers, items for Operation Christmas Child, etc. Their goal of conducting donation drives is to teach Juvenile Drug Court participants about “giving back” to the community and others around the world who are in need.

For more information on the Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy and the Drug Court system in the county, visit www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/drugcontrol.