By Albert Dadson
CCC Journalism Program
Shoes are a necessity in life and we all need a good supply of shoes we feel comfortable in. That is what Phi Theta Kappa is trying to represent with its “Find Your Sole Mate” shoe drive that is going on from Nov. 19 to Dec. 19 at Camden County College.
A campus drive urges students to turn in their shoes to benefit the less fortunate. By Albert Dadson, CCC Journalism Program
Last year the group sent 52 cartons containing 1,948 pounds of shoes. The group will send six more cartons this year in the Shoe Box Recycling program. The total number of pounds of shoes has not been counted since the drive has not concluded.
The group is accepting all kinds of shoes from athletic to dress shoes. They will not accept shoes with rollers, ice skates or similar devices, nor will they accept shoes that are wet or have mildew.
The drive is run by faculty co-advisers and student officers at Camden County College. PTK officers Rana Elmekadem, co-president, Sarah Kamal, co-president, Rachel Mojica, vice president of leadership, Coraima Medellin, vice president of service, Melissa Clements, vice president of scholarship, Angel Malone, vice president of public relations, and Anthoney Obasi, vice president of Camden campus, are responsible for collecting and packing the shoes the students of Camden County College donate. The faculty co-advisers are Dr. Dan Flisser and Professor Eileen Radetich.
Professor Bernadette Carlin is responsible for the drive. “Did you know that over 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown in the trash each year?” she asked.
The drive’s purpose is to recycle shoes and give them to the less fortunate to wear, not only in America but all over the world. “Our shoes are for reuse all around the globe, putting landfills on diets and teaching all that worn is not worn out,” Carlin said.
Reuse can help the environment and create jobs. “Used shoes are a greatly needed global commodity resold in thrift stores and market places around the world,” Carlin stated. “It is amazing how many people here and abroad depend upon used textiles for their livelihoods and to support their families. Textile recycling is an industry that is creating unprecedented employment and local opportunities for entrepreneurs in the U.S. and areas all over the globe.”