New and gently used footwear of all varieties, including boots, sandals, flip-flops, heels and sneakers, is being collected as part of a fundraiser to benefit the Honey Brook Speedway, a nonprofit organization that offers quarter midget track racing for children from age 4 and a half to 15.

From now through Saturday, June 5, shoe donations can be dropped off at an outdoor collection box located at the speedway, 2177 Horseshoe Pike (Route 322), Honey Brook. Shoe donation bins are also available during operating hours at The She Shed, 3605 E. Main St., Morgantown, and at Nuse's Deli, 3160 W. Main St., Morgantown.

A special shoe drop-off event will take place on Sunday, May 2, from noon to 3 p.m. at the racetrack. There will be a table set up by the snack shack where the shoes can be placed; a drive-through, contactless dropoff will also be offered that day.

All donated shoes will be given to Funds2Orgs, a nonprofit organization that repurposes the shoes. According to http://www.funds2orgs.com, the shoes are sold to micro-entrepreneurs for a nominal cost. Micro-entrepreneurs then mark up the shoes and sell them in their local communities for a fraction of the original price, but still for a profit.

Proceeds from the shoe collection will help out with track maintenance and will help to finance the cost of awards and the end-of year banquet.

The speedway is also looking for a new home. "The land will be developed, and we have until the end of 2021 to find a new place for the kids to race," explained shoe collection organizer Sarah Hanna, whose children race at the venue. "We are trying to find leads on relocating, so as of now, the kids may have to join (other local tracks)."

The Honey Brook Speedway began in 1958 as the Doylestown Quarter Midget Club (DQMC), located in Doylestown, and moved to the Honey Brook location in the early 1980s. Races are held on Sundays at noon and on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Food and beverages are available during events from the snack shack.

Drivers are required to be members of the United States Auto Club (USAC) to participate. "A few times throughout the year we have 'Arrive and Drive' (events) where anyone can come out and try it," said Carrie Kempton, who is the speedway's head of tower and is in charge of race registration, lineups and scoring. "This is a chance to try it before you buy (the car and equipment)."

While there are wrecks, the children wear safety equipment to prevent injury. "They are in a fire suit, a racing-certified helmet, a five-point (seat harness) and gloves," said Kempton. "This is not like going to the go-kart track. They (wear) legitimate racing gear."

Rookie racers travel at speeds up to 25 miles per hour, while senior division racers can race up to 45 miles per hour on the asphalt track. "They are very competitive. Some of the kids have such a passion for racing," Hanna added.

For more information about Honey Brook Speedway or the shoe collection drive, visit http://www.facebook.com/honeybrookspeedway. More information about the track and the event schedule can be found at http://www.honeybrookspeedway.com.