MHS student collects 250+ pairs of shoes

MEEKER I Meeker may be a small town in northwest Colorado, but thanks to the efforts of local high school student, Ainsley Selle, the community of Meeker is having a global impact on those in need. Selle participated in a Shoe Drive sponsored by the Toll Gate Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and collected over 250 pairs of shoes from her community.

When Ainsley’s mother (science teacher at Meeker High School), saw a post about a shoe drive on the Facebook page of a friend, she immediately asked, “How can my high school help?” Michelle. Selle learned that the Toll Gate Creek Chapter in Aurora was conducting a shoe drive with the goal of collecting at least 2,500 pairs of gently worn or new shoes. These shoes would ultimately be distributed to budding entrepreneurs in developing countries where shoes are not easy to find. The entrepreneurs would resell the shoes inexpensively to residents. The money earned from shoe sales would be used to support or start up new businesses. 

Sophomore Ainsley Selle, daughter of Chris and Michelle Selle, immediately took up the responsibility of collecting the shoes. She promoted the shoe drive at the Meeker Public Schools and in the community of Meeker. Over time, she collected enough shoes to fill a pickup truck. When her basketball team traveled to Limon for regional basketball, the shoes came with her and were transferred to the Toll Gate Creek DAR.

“I call this a win-win-win-win project,” says the TGC Chapter public relations chair, Vicki Moore. “We clean out our closets of our “guilt” shoes—the ones that we paid for but never wore because they were uncomfortable, or we wore them once for a special occasion. The collected shoes go to entrepreneurs who can now fund their businesses (only individuals and families). People who can’t find shoes in those nations have access to shoes. The economic impact of the shoes builds the nation’s economy. Hence, a win-win-win-win.”

Ultimately, the TGC Chapter collected over 3,200 pairs of shoes to be sent around the world. Thanks to the hearts of young women like Ainsley Selle, and the support of local communities, we can make an impact on the world.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. 

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit www.facebook.com/TGC.NSDAR.AuroraCO or contact [email protected]

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America’s freedom. Through the DAR Genealogical Research System (www.dar.org/GRS), the public can access a free database of information amassed by the DAR about these patriots. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization with more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. DAR members passionately carry out the timeless mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.dar.org.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Vicki Moore at 719-440-8746, or email [email protected].