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PV Music Boosters plan shoe drive with dual benefits

AMBER MORRIS/ FOR THE EXPRESS A PVMB shoe collection flows over with donations at Weaver’s Store.

By AMBER MORRIS

For The Express

SPRING MILLS — Winter has finally passed , the robins are back in town, and since many of us are spring cleaning our closets and cupboards, the Penns Valley Music Boosters are hoping to reap the benefits for a good cause.

“The Penns Valley Music Boosters will hold a shoe drive from from now until the end of April to raise money for new marching band uniforms and choir robes,” said group president, Amy Stitzer-Smith.

“We will be collecting gently worn and used or new shoes at several locations across Penns Valley, and we are having a shoe drive collection day at the Penns Valley High School on April 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m,” she said.

The fundraiser has a dual purpose that extends way beyond the walls of Penns Valley.

“We are working with a company called “Funds2Orgs,” who will pay us by the weight of the shoes collected,” she explained. “But that’s not all. The shoes are then redistributed to developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. So basically people can clear some shoes from their closets, keep shoes out of the landfills, help us raise money and help others in need all at the same time.”

Collection boxes can be found at the following locations: Weaver’s Store near Millheim; Shades of Red Salon in Aaronsburg; Old Gregg School Community Centre in Spring Mills; Centre Hall Library; the Penns Valley YMCA; Hettinger’s Grocery in Rebersburg; and the American Legion in Centre Hall.

Stitzer-Smith is confident that this month-long charity event will do well and will strike an empathetic cord in the area.

“This is our first year of trying something like this. We wanted to do a different kind of fundraiser, and so far we have had a very positive reaction from the community,” she continued. “I’m hoping that whenever people realize that donating the shoes not only helps the Music Boosters, but also helps those less fortunate, that they are glad to help out. It always feels great to help others.”

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