WICHITA, Kansas – Students at East High School have turned an everyday item into a fundraiser for their future. By gathering used shoes from the community, they hope to raise enough money to send participants to state and national Skills USA competitions.
How the shoe drive works
Teacher Aaron Haselwood explained that the school chose a shoe drive because “money is tight right now” and a donation of footwear is a simple way for families to help. The school partnered with the nonprofit organization Funds to Orgs, which collects the shoes, weighs them, and issues a check to the school based on the total pounds received.
So far, students have collected about 200 pairs of shoes, and the response from local residents has been enthusiastic. Donors drop off shoes at the main entrance of East High, and the school is also looking for additional drop‑off sites to increase participation.
What Skills USA means for students
Skills USA is a career and technical student organization that offers competitions in a wide range of trades, from carpentry and culinary arts to HVAC and plumbing. Participants showcase the skills they have learned in classroom and hands‑on settings, earning recognition that can lead to scholarships and job opportunities.
Student Samual Lara highlighted the variety of programs available at East High, saying, “We have carpentry, culinary, HVAC, plumbing – a real variety here.” Fellow student Tysheala added, “The fact that I’m proving myself, if I can make it to nationals, even if I don’t win, it’s something I can hold dear to me.”
Community support and next steps
The shoe drive reflects a broader spirit of volunteerism in Wichita. Local businesses and law firms, including DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers, have offered assistance, helping the school manage logistics and promote the campaign.
Anyone interested in contributing can bring gently used shoes to the East High main entrance or contact the school to arrange a drop‑off location. The goal is to continue building momentum, convert more shoes into travel funds, and ensure that East High’s talented students can compete on the state and national stage.
Why this matters
By turning a simple act of giving into a tangible resource, the East High community demonstrates how faith‑based families and local volunteers can support the next generation of skilled workers. The fundraiser not only eases the financial burden of competition travel but also reinforces the value of hard work, stewardship, and community partnership—principles at the heart of Wichita’s traditions.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
