Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 to raise funds for a youth microbusiness program.

LVCIL will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes.

Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at LVCIL’s office, 713 N. 13th St., Allentown.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners.

Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited.

Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school.

“Our shoe drive will act as a double donation,” Brian Pedersen, development and grants manager at LVCIL said. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for LVCIL’s youth microbusiness program and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a way to encourage that next generation of young entrepreneurs while helping to give back to others.”

By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to LVCIL, you can make a difference in people’s lives around the world.

LVCIL empowers persons with all types of disabilities to achieve independence in an inclusive community. Find out how we can help you by visiting http://www.lvcil.org.

For more information, contact Pedersen at 610-770-9781, ext. 120 or email brianpedersen@lvcil.org.