TOLEDO, Ohio — Helping Hands of St. Louis in east Toledo is calling for donations and volunteers for the ninth annual Shoe Fest.
The event itself is open to families from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday Aug. 6, at 443 Sixth St.
The donations needed include new athletic shoes and socks, and toddler sizes 10 up to youth sizes 8 are greatly needed at this time.
The charity is also asking for new and gently used children's books, children's backpacks and school supplies, such as:
- Paper
- Pencils
- Pens
- Markers
- Crayons
- Glue sticks
- Dry-erase markers,
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Ziploc bags
Donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Helping Hands of St. Louis, 443 6th St., through Aug. 5.
On Aug. 5, volunteers will be asked to sort shoes and set up for the event. On Aug. 6, volunteers will be asked to help run Shoe Fest between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., which includes fitting children with new shoes and socks to get their school year off on the right foot.
Helping Hands is hoping for over 50 volunteers to help the children of Toledo. They said last year there were over 600 children participating.
“We will give as many shoes away as we get," Director Sue Shrewsbery said. "As long as we have them available. In the past we have given up to 700 pairs of shoes away. We are looking to get about a thousand this year, so it warms my heart."
During the fest there will be face-painting, balloons, games and children’s activities that will keep the kids occupied as they wait their turn.
For more information, you can call the Helping Hands of St. Louis Office at 419-691-0613 or visit their website at www.catholiccharitiesnwo.org.