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Old Kicks to Help Kids in The Poconos

STROUDSBURG — Runners in the Poconos are looking for old shoes to help others in developing countries. Shoes in all colors, shapes, and sizes are needed i...

STROUDSBURG -- Runners in the Poconos are looking for old shoes to help others in developing countries.

Shoes in all colors, shapes, and sizes are needed in donation bins here in the Poconos. The fundraiser, organized by Girls on the Run Pocono, will go towards helping people in need in developing countries.

"The shoes actually get sent to Third World countries and then they're used as a micro-business to help make money for their families. And Girls on the Run Pocono gets paid by the pound, so it's a win/win for everybody," said Kim Zateeny, Girls on the Run Pocono.

It's the second annual drive. The collection bin at the Pocono Family YMCA has already taken in lots of donations.

"It seems to be a really successful thing," said YMCA executive assistant Sue Scarborough. "They have to come and empty the bin at least once a week, and it's helping somebody else with the shoes, and it's helping the girls."

Even some of the forgotten shoes at the Y are now helping this nonprofit that helps empower young women through running.

"If somebody leaves a pair of shoes here and they don't pick them up within two weeks, they go in the bin also."

Girls on the Run is hoping to collect at least 3,000 pairs of shoes by Thanksgiving, and with 30 donation bins throughout the county, that means they need at least 100 donations per bin to reach their goal.

The donation bin at "Ready, Set, Run" in Stroudsburg has been a popular drop-off spot.

"They're getting new shoes and then they're just taking their old shoes right away and putting them into the bin and donating them," said owner Trish D'imperio.

But this shoe drive is also helping the running group spread their mission and message.

"We get our logo out there, people are asking, 'Who's Girls on the Run?' It gets us to pair with local businesses so it just helps us and them all around," said Zateeny.

Click here for a list of places where you can donate your shoes.

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