Donate new and gently worn shoes to help fight addiction

(Jan. 4, 2020) Ocean Pines will pitch in this month and next to help collect new and gently worn shoes for a local charity. 

From Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, staff at the Ocean Pines Community Center will accept donations to help raise funds for the WGP Warriors Against Addiction.  

The newly created charity merges two prior groups: Worcester Goes Purple and the Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction.  

Organizer Debbie Smullen said WGP Warriors Against Addiction would “continue the education and fight against all addictions” in Worcester County.  

“COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the recovery community, as distancing and social isolation goes against all recovery needs,” Smullen said.  

She said the donation drive will help two worthy causes. First, she will send the shoe collection to Funds2Orgs, a group that helps create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries. That organization will then supply funds to WGP Warriors Against Addiction, based on the size of the collection. 

“We will be paid for the shoes by the pound and the funds will go to help people get into recovery,” she said.   

WGP Warriors Against Addiction will also host a contact-free drive-through collection at the Ocean Pines Library on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon.  

Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said of the donation drive, “We are always willing to help such a great cause.” 

“WGP Warriors Against Addiction is always looking for opportunities to help anyone and everyone with reform and recovery,” Donahue said. “Ocean Pines Recreation is excited about offering a location to collect shoes. We all have slightly used shoes that we can donate – I know I do. 

“Please take a look in your closets and drop off those shoes. The more we collect, the greater the donation to this awesome group! What a great way to do our part in helping the community,” Donahue added. 

For more information, contact Smullen at [email protected], or call 410-870-5161.