Shoes4Shelburne: A step forward for low-income families

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Shelburne Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre is working to ensure those in need have good and reliable shoes with their 7th annual Shoes4Shelburne campaign. 

“It's not the most positive thing that we have to have a program like this, but we're happy to do this for the community and give back to those in need,” said Alexandra Georgie, co-founder of Shoes4Shelburne. “We do anticipate with how challenging it is with the cost of living and inflation that there's going to be a larger need this year.” 

Started six years ago by local chiropractor Dr. Richard Magder and Alexandra Georgie from Shelburne Family Chiropractic, Shoes4Shelburne is an annual initiative focused on providing new and gently used shoes to Shelburne and Dufferin County residents in need. 

The inspiration for the campaign came after a pair of Dr. Magder's shoes were stolen when left outside to dry. 

Last year, the initiative aided roughly 50 families, including multiple members within those families. 

Speaking with the Free Press, Georgie explained the role that quality footwear can have on an individual's overall physical health and well-being. 

“It's so important for people to have good footwear from a wellness perspective because that's where a lot of problems can start to happen. If you're not wearing good footwear, it can change what is call the gait, which means the positioning of your foot,” explained Georgie. “This can start to create knee pain, which then can lead up to hip and back pain that can lead to tension and stress causing migraines and headaches; it's all interconnected.”

Having organized the initiative for seven years, Shelburne Family Chiropractic has seen a shift in the demand for shoes – specifically, the need for children's shoes and winter boots. 

To help combat the growing need for children's shoes, Shoes4Shelburne is working with the local schools to help provide children in need with a pair of quality shoes. To address the need for winter boots, the group is focussing their efforts on collecting winter boots. 

“It's becoming more and more challenging for families to be able to afford shoes for their little ones with the general cost of shoes going up and they're growing so quickly,” said Georgie. “Boots as well are becoming so expensive so that's why our focus is so much on boots this year.” 

This year, Shoes4Shelburne has teamed up with Coats for Dufferin, an annual initiative organized by relators Go With Crowe and Jacqueline Clement that looks to provide Dufferin residents with coats. They've also aligned their pickup schedule with the Shelburne Food Bank and Christmas Hamper program. 

“It's really about collaboration to make it as easy and seamless as possible for people who may need these items,” said Georgie.

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Shelburne Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre will be holding an open house event, located at 228 Andrew Street, where people in need of shoes can browse the donation collection. 

They will also be open on Dec. 16 in alignment with the Christmas Hamper pick-up day. 

Looking ahead to the future, Shelburne Family Chiropractic is looking to continue providing footwear to those in need throughout the year by having a once-monthly shop open for families and individuals. 

“If they need any type of shoe, they could come in and get it and we'll being doing that every month,” said Georgie. 

Donations of new and gently used shoes can be left in a 24/7 drop-off bin at Shelburne Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, located at 310 Main Street E. Shelburne Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre will be collecting donations for Shoes4Shelburne until Oct. 31.