PEO funds 3,200 pairs of shoes

Aurora chapter members of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (A.C. PEO) gathered Oct. 9 to load 128 bags containing 3,200 pairs of shoes for pick-up as a result of its second annual shoe fundraiser.
The fundraiser first started in 2022 when the chapter formed a partnership with Funds2Orgs, which provides shoes to business owners in developing countries.
“It’s really a win-win, because we, in turn, receive money for the shoes that we collect, but then these shoes are being sent to other countries around the world and they’re being resold to help others earn money to support their families,” said chapter vice president Jennifer Dennis.
Dennis further explained that from the collected bags, the organization receives a check in support of providing financial opportunities for women in the community, commenting the chapter earned over $1,300 from its fundraiser.
Since December, A.C. PEO provided several drop boxes for the community to donate shoes.
“We’ve left the collection boxes out over the course of the last 12 months and we’re not stopping,” Dennis said. “People can continue to drop off, even though we just had this pickup, we have different milestones that we want to reach before we schedule a pickup.”
Among the locations that community members can still drop donations off include the organization’s primary drop-off at Hamilton Telecommunications, Touch of Health Day Spa, Cornerstone Investments and the Aurora Senior Center.
Other locations that helped during the season include Tempo Performing Arts Studio and The Old Homestead.
“(It was) all over the community, because Hamilton has graciously allowed us to use the space across the street,” she explained. “Those shoes really take up a lot of space. I had encouraged people to drop your shoes at that Hamilton building by the entryway where there’s  a payphone. The door is open 24/7 so people can drop off at nights and weekends as well. That saves us a little bit of hauling around town.”
Along with the help of chapter president Julie Jensen, Dennis spoke about her gratitude to the volunteers who helped members with loading the bags.
“We had some National Honor Society kids here helping, which was really awesome,” Dennis commented. “We had spouses helping, since we’re an all female organization. We even had (Brent Winfield) from the Meat Block that was walking by and thought, ‘Oh, I’m just going to pitch in and help out.’
“There’s a lot of preparation that goes into preparing,” she continued. “We band and bag all the shoes ourselves, getting the word out that we’re collecting the shoes. It takes a cumulative effort to definitely pull it off.”
Through donating the shoes, Funds2Orgs gives money to A.C. PEO which is then given to support women in the community.
“I think it would be cool for this next year if we can get 150 bags,” she said. “It’s really impactful, because then this money goes directly to providing educational opportunities  for women through scholarships, grants and loans. This money really impacts our organization and allows us to make significant contributions to help others.”
A.C. PEO is still collecting shoes that will be going into the third annual drive. Donations can be made at 1001 12th St. at the Hamilton Telecommunications building or at community dropboxes.