Student at South Forsyth Looking for "Soles"

Junior, Natalie Howard, is working to achieve her Girl Scout Gold Award by collecting shoes for her project. She will collect shoes at the paint and electronics-recycling event hosted by Reaping Nature Educational Outreach Foundation at the Windermere Community Village Center parking lot on Sunday, April 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"I wanted to work with two things I love--lacrosse and shoes, in order to make a difference in our local and global communities,” said Howard. “So I partnered with a non-profit called Sole Hope that is trying to help widows and orphans in Africa, specifically the countries of Uganda and Zambia where many kids don’t own at least one pair of shoes.”

When children do not have shoes they can end up getting many diseases and parasites through their feet. Howard plans to clean up and ship the donated cleats and athletic shoes over to Africa this summer. She will donate extra shoes and sports equipment to local Atlanta charities so kids can benefit from donations both here and in Africa.

“It always amazes and inspires me when our youth gets involved in such important causes,” said Denise Carleton, Reaping Nature’s Executive Director.  “I hope that members of our community will come out and support Natalie’s efforts to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Howard will be collecting shoes until April 30. Her goal is to collect 250 pairs of shoes. With collection bins provided by Sanitation Solutions, Howard has also set up donation sites at Turf fields, Lacrosse Field, , and Schools, and and Schools.

For additional information regarding this event, including materials/items accepted, paint recycling fees and more information on Howard’s shoe drive, visit the Reaping Nature Web site or contact Denise Carleton at 770-490-1083.