BOARDMAN, Ohio -- Since the beginning of November, all 19 Ankle & Foot Care Centers have been collecting shoes to donate to the Salvation Army and on Wednesday more than 500 pairs were given to the charity. The chain of podiatric office also collected socks to donate.

“People don't always have the resources to get decent shoes, so we're trying to not only care for their feet medically, but to give them the necessary shoes and socks,” Ankle & Foot Care operations manager Elizabeth Emch said.

All types of shoes were collected, from sneakers to winter boots to athletic shoes.

“There is something for everyone, from young people to small children to grown-ups, so [Ankle and Foot Care] is doing an incredible job of getting different types of shoes,” Salvation Army Major Elijah Kahn said. “There's something for those who need them for school or boots for winter.”

The shoe drive was started in 1998 and over the years, Emch said she's lost count of how many shoes have been donated by doctors, employees and patients.

“It's got to be thousands. Last year we had at least 800 pairs donated so it's well into the thousands,” she said. “We all look forward to it every year, especially when we see the teeny little kids shoes and the boots for winter weather. We're excited that we can fill the need in the community.”

The shoes will be available to those in need in February at the Salvation Army's Youngstown headquarters on Glenwood Avenue, said Kahn, the Mahoning County community services coordinator for the Salvation Army.

“Anyone who has the need for shoes just has to come to us, sign up and receive a pair or for themselves to have something to wear during these frigid temperatures,” Kahn said.

Kahn lauded Ankle & Foot Care's participation over the past 17 years, adding that the partnership has had a large impact on the community and made the charity's job a little easier.

“Over the years, this business has had a huge impact on the community. They've been doing this for 17 years. That's a long time to be giving back,” he said. “It enables us to help more people in the county and without their help, we wouldn't be able to help as many people. We're very thankful to them.”

The shoe drive ended on Jan. 9, but the staff is looking forward to next year, Emch said.

“We can't wait for next year and we're very proud of our partnership with the Salvation Army,” she said. “We feel the need in the community. We think everyone deserves to have decent shoes to wear.”

Pictured: Elizabeth Emch, operations manager for Ankle and Food Care, and Major Elijah Kahn, Salvation Army .

Copyright 2015 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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