Thirteen Years Of Putting Good Shoes To Good Use

One of my favorite things about the people in this area is how often they go out of their way to help others. Call it an Upstate New York thing, a Central New York thing or a North Country thing. Whatever you want to call it, it comes from that small-town mindset. When you give something back, chances are it is going to someone you may pass on the street, run into at Bosco’s or see at Breitbeck Park.

One of the ways our communities continue to show that generosity is through the annual “Tithe My Shoes” shoe drive. Now in its 13th year, the effort is underway with a goal of collecting 1,147 pairs of shoes, sneakers and boots throughout Oswego and Jefferson counties by December 10. I have been a longtime supporter of this initiative, and it is always great to see how many people and local businesses are willing to get involved.

The drive started with Mudd Murphy, former mayor of Central Square and current executive director of the Oswego County Conference of Mayors, but grew with the help of Ralph Rotella, who owns the Discount Shoe Repair Shop in Syracuse. He cleans, repairs and reconditions donated shoes before delivering them to Rescue Mission Syracuse. From there, the shoes are distributed to charities throughout the state. Shoes that cannot be repaired are recycled, and the proceeds go toward food programs at the Rescue Mission. The goal is to make sure nothing goes to waste.

The Rescue Mission store at 57 East Bridge St. in Oswego handles footwear needs right here in Oswego County, so the effort helps people close to home as well as those across the state. Last year, the broader effort collected a record-breaking 45,201 pairs of shoes statewide, including more than 1,300 from Oswego County. That is quite a haul, and I hope we can build on it this year. I encourage anyone who can to donate a pair and help us break another record!

This year’s list of participating donation sites:

• Village of Cleveland – 2 Clay St., Cleveland, NY 13042
• Village of Central Square – 3125 East Ave., Central Square, NY 13036
• City of Fulton – 141 S. First St., Fulton, NY 13069
• Village of Phoenix – 455 Main St., Phoenix, NY 13135
• Village of Parish – 2938 E. Main St., Parish, NY 13131
• Village of Pulaski – 4917 Jefferson St., Pulaski, NY 13142
• City of Oswego – 13 W. Oneida St., Oswego, NY 13126
• SUNY Oswego – Marano Campus Center Welcome Desk
• Assemblyman Barclay’s Office (Fulton) – 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069
• Tug Hill Commission State Office Bldg. – 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601
• Central Square Am. Legion Post # 915 – 3301 Fulton Ave., Central Square, NY 13036
• Mallory Wesleyan Church – 5 Baum Rd., Hastings, NY 13076
• Central Square Community Church – 833 U.S. Route 11, Central Square, NY 13036

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at [email protected]. You may also find me, Assemblyman Will Barclay, on Facebook or X at @WillABarclay.