Students Collect Shoes for Mission

Sixth-graders at Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth have collected more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to donate to the Union Rescue Mission.

“There’s everything from baby booties to a pair of roller-blades,” said Assistant Principal Brenda Winter.

The shoes will be sold at a thrift store operated by the mission for 99 cents to $2 a pair. Proceeds will provide beds and services at the mission’s downtown Los Angeles shelter.

“The kindness of these kids really helps,” said Irene Rivera, a mission spokeswoman. “There are so many people that need help.”

It took a week for the club’s 70 members to collect the shoes. Students such as 12-year-old Laura Reyes visited classes and filled plastic trash bags with Sketchers and Adidas shoes of all sizes--even a pair of cowboy boots.

Students said they were amazed at how many extra pairs they had in their closets that they no longer wear.

“I know that some people don’t have a bed and food like I do,” Laura said. “I realized a little thing like this can make a big difference.”

Last year, the same student club--called the Atoms--collected 2,000 pairs of socks. The club plans to make the shoe drive an annual event, Winter said.