FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Students at East Fairmont High School are hosting a fundraiser to help others in need and to raise money for their events.

The class of 2023 collects new or lightly used shoes to donate to developing countries to create employment opportunities. The shoes will be collected by Funds2Orgs and distributed to micro-businesses around the world. The shoes will then allow micro-entrepreneurs to sell the shoes to support their families.

“It’s a great way to help other countries, and it’s our way of helping them by donating shoes that we no longer need,” said EFHS student Lydia Wright.

“Micro-enterprises are small businesses that usually start with little investment capital. These micro-enterprises are run by one person or a few family members or friends. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries to provide them with inventory to sell to earn a living for themselves and their families. Due to systemic poverty, few work opportunities provide sustainable income, so many must create opportunities to sell goods and products in their communities, including shoes.

Funds2Orgs

The more shoes the class collects, the more money they receive from Funds2Orgs.

The money raised will go towards prom, graduation and any other event they organize.

“We’re running out of funds and we were trying to think of things people would want to donate or give back to,” said Jamie Deane, EFHS social studies professor and adviser to the class of 2023. “We didn’t want to sell another t-shirt or resell candy bars.”

The class has already collected dozens of shoes but is only 10% away from their goal.

Donations can be dropped off at East Fairmont High School or the Marion County School Board until Feb. 1. A special drive-thru shoe drop off will be held at the school board office on Saturday, January 29 from noon to 3 p.m.

Deane is also available to pick up shoes. She can be reached at [email protected]