Pasco County government and its constitutional offices collected more than 3,000 pairs of shoes for local students — smashing a previous record for the annual Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive.
The drive, now in its fourth year, yielded 3,057 pairs of shoes and 13,285 pairs of socks. The items will be donated to students in Pasco County Schools.
Last year, donations totaled 2,264 pairs of shoes and 6,609 pairs of socks.
Besides vastly exceeding last year’s totals, the collection also shattered the goal of 2,000 shoes set by Cathy Pearson, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public services.
Pasco County and Constitutional Office staff gathered at Wendell Krinn Technical High School in New Port Richey on Oct. 29 to officially donate the footwear and tally the results.
Pasco County’s Internal Services Branch won the trophy for the most donations from county branches. The Pasco Property Appraiser’s Office won for most donations collected by a constitutional office, just surpassing the Tax Collector’s Office.
The Public Services Branch placed first in the decorated collection box competition with the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department’s “Playground Box.”
Pearson recapped this year’s efforts for the Pasco County Commission at its Nov. 5 meeting.
She was delighted by the level of giving.
“We have just made some students very, very proud and very happy. That couldn’t have happened without the great community that we have,” Pearson said.
Commission Chairman Ron Oakley was impressed, too.
“If you figure $40 for a pair of shoes, there’s over $120,000 worth of shoes there — just amazing,” he said.
Pearson added: “It’s all for a great cause, it’s all for the kids. I couldn’t be more proud and humble, to be part of this community. Thank you all and we’re looking forward to the fifth annual next October.”
Published November 13, 2019
