The Riverside Community School District celebrates Earth Day annually by collecting shoes for those in need. This year, the shoe drive collected 1,543 pairs of shoes to benefit individuals both locally and around the world.
Riverside CSD partners with New Visions Homeless Services and Funds2orgs to support this initiative. Shoes that are not distributed locally through New Visions are sent to Funds2orgs, which works with micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries. There, the shoes are resold in local markets, providing both affordable footwear and sustainable income opportunities for families working to lift themselves out of poverty.
Jen Perkins has been a driving force behind the district’s Earth Day activities since 2016. Each year, she helps organize the shoe drive as a way to promote environmental awareness and build community engagement. The event is a testament to the commitment and generosity of Riverside CDS's students, staff, and families.
"The shoe drive has become an annual tradition that we look forward to," said Perkins. "It’s incredible to see how the community has embraced this event. It’s not just about collecting shoes; it’s about teaching our students the value of civic engagement, empathy, and taking care of our planet."
Student volunteers play a hands-on role in their project, giving up recess time to sort, tie, rubber-band, and bag donated shoes in sets of 25. In the process, they build teamwork and reinforce core math skills like addition, multiplication, and division while supporting a great cause.
As part of the event, the classroom that collects the most shoes gets to choose a staff member to “kiss” a tree during the district’s Kiss-A-Tree Celebration, symbolizing their commitment to environmental care.
To follow this year’s journey and view more photos, visit Riverside’s