Shoes4Shelburne now entering 4th year

October 29, 2020 · 0 Comments

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Shelburne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre will be starting their annual charitable initiative known as Shoes4Shelburne during the first week of November, following a confirmed “green light” from Public Health.

Started four years ago by Dr. Richard Magder and Alexandra Magder from Shelburne Family Chiropractic, Shoes4Shelburne is an annual imitative that focuses on donating gently used or new shoes. The initiative, which launched as a social media campaign, started after a pair of Dr. Magder’s shoes were stolen when left outside to dry. Following the shoes being stolen Alexandra Madger said they were initially upset but that it also brought on the conversation of a person really needing them.

“We were like ‘what can we do to turn this negative experience into something positive’, and that’s when Shoes4Shelburne came about, so we decided to use this as an opportunity to help collect shoes, gently used and new,” said Alexandra.

As a chiropractor and owner of Shelburne Family Chiropractic Dr. Magder also recognized the need for proper shoes.

“Chiropractors treat musculoskeletal concerns pertaining to the entire body and proper foot support is vital to ensure that our patients are functionally sound,” said Dr. Magder. “If we can help fit the population with correct footwear, we can limit the amount of back pain out there and hopefully prevent somebody from having to come see us in the clinic.”

In the first year that Shoes4Shelburne launched they were able to collect 500 pairs of shoes and in 2019 the initiative collected 600 pairs. For 2020 Alexandra said they are hoping to hit 600 pairs again, but have a goal of between 700 and 800 pairs.

Sitting between the busy campaign months of October and December, Shoes4Shelburne will start the first week of November, at time that Alexandra said allows them to get the message out into the community.

“A lot of people are starting to think about the new year, starting to do cleaning in their homes, transitioning from summer shoes to winter boots and going through winter boots that might not fit anymore,” said Alexandra.

With COVID-19 protocols, collected shoes are planned to be disinfected and put in plastic bags for 48 hours and then distributed.

“We did reach out to public health, to get confirmation based on what we were trying to do that everything would be fine and they said “yes” and they didn’t request for extra precautions,” said Alexandra.

Shoes4Shelburne in the past has teamed up with the Christmas Hamper program, having shoes displayed and ready to be taken for those registering. With COVID-19 restrictions those registering with the Christmas Hamper program will be provided with a flyer with information of time and location of where they can be picked up from.

Starting the first week of November those looking to donate their gently used or new shoes will be able to drop them off at the Shelburne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre at 310 Main Street East. A box for donations will be located in an indoor porch and can be dropped off at any time. Open toed and heels are asked not to be donated.