Matt Helm and Stefanos Haddad are among the Upstate medical students helping out with a shoe drive this month to benefit clients at the Rescue Mission in Syracuse.
Upstate medical students want your old shoes. Gently used shoes, that is, so that clients of the Rescue Mission in Syracuse will be able to wear them.
Throughout October, members of the Upstate community can drop off shoes they no longer want (but in fairly decent condition) at five locations — Weiskotten Hall’s first and ninth floors, and the lobbies of Geneva, Jefferson and Madison towers.
Matt Helm, Leesha Alex and Stefanos Haddad, first-year medical students, are organizing the shoe drive.
“A big problem in the homeless population in Syracuse and around the United States is having foot infections along with inadequate footwear,” Matt said.
All kinds of footwear will be accepted. “Old, new, any size, any kind, even sandals will work,” Matt said. Any shoes that are not used immediately will go to the Rescue Mission Thrift store for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Mission.
Upstate medical students Matt Helm and Leesha Alex with posters advertising the shoe drive to benefit the Rescue Mission.
“It’s amazing to be a part of a drive that mobilizes the whole Upstate community to support a Syracuse organization in need,” Leesha said. “By raising awareness about the needs at the Rescue Mission, the medical students hope to call attention to the need for a foot clinic at the Mission.
“In the long run,” Leesha said, “we hope that the clinic will provide these individuals with the opportunity to take positive steps to become more proactive about their health and well-being.”