Those with extra pairs of shoes in their closets are invited to donate them as part of a fundraiser being held by the Octorara Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) in partnership with the Leo Club at Octorara Junior-Senior High School.

A kickoff event will be held on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Octorara Pirmary Learning Center (PLC), 87 Highland Road, Atglen. The first 50 people who drop off gently worn shoes of any kind or size that day will receive a prize.

After the kickoff event, shoe donations may be donated at drop-off boxes located in each of Octorara's buildings. The fundraiser will conclude on Saturday, May 20, at the OABEST Expo at the high school, which will feature student exhibits, an art show, children's games, food and more. More details about the event are available at http://www.oabestexpo.com.

All donated shoes will be given to Funds2Orgs, a nonprofit organization that repurposes shoes. According to http://www.funds2orgs.com, the shoes are sold to micro-entrepreneurs for a nominal cost. Micro-entrepreneurs sell the shoes for a profit, which allows them to feed, clothe and house their families. Octorara will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected.

This is the first time that Octorara groups have held a shoe drive fundraiser. "We are really excited to combine efforts of the Leo Club, PTO and community to raise funds for a good cause," said Lindsay Mitman, math interventionist at the Octorara PLC, noting that the PTO plans to use the funds for its activities. "The PTO will put the money toward future PTO events for families, assemblies for the kindergarten through sixth-grade students, teacher appreciation gifts and other student and classroom needs."

"We plan to use our half for renovating a courtyard into a more accessible outdoor learning space," added Leo Club adviser Marcia Rapone.

The Leo Club at Octorara, which has about 20 members, is sponsored by local Lions Clubs. "We are co-sponsored by the Christiana and Parkesburg Lions clubs in our charter," noted Rapone. "The Parkesburg Lions Club is our main liaison to the international organization. We work together to do community outreach and volunteering activities."

Recently, members of the Leo Club participated in a road cleanup and a food drive at Dutch-Way Farm Market in Gap to benefit the Octorara Area Food Cupboard. "We volunteer at the track and field events helping with announcements and running paperwork throughout the event," Rapone said. "We had a trunk at the annual Family Fun Fest's Trunk or Treat. (Currently), we are organizing our annual Earth Day event for the fifth grade."

The Octorara PTO supports students and teachers in the Octorara Area School District. Its most recent activity was a Father/Daughter Dance held on March 10 in the Octorara Intermediate School (OIS) gym. Upcoming events include a Bingo Night on Friday, April 14, at the Octorara PLC and a Mother/Son Night on Friday, May 12, at the OIS. More details are available at http://www.facebook.com/octorarak6pto.