Local AKAs Collect More than 1,000 Shoes

By AFRO Staff 

Work boots, sandals, pumps, kids’ sneakers and dress shoes are the assortment of footwear collected by the Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority in February.

Psi Epsilon Omega, along with other chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, is collecting gently worn shoes. The effort is part of a partnership with Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that ships shoes to countries populated with people of color.

Sorority members ensure the shoes are clean and in good condition before bagging and delivering them to Soles4Souls.

“We’ve been gathering shoes since September. Our goal was to collect 800 pairs,” said Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter President Benita Swindell. “Thanks to the generosity and service-mindedness of our members, we were able to surpass our goal and can now help hundreds of people lift themselves out of poverty.”  While they’ve surpassed their goal, the group is still collecting shoes, according to a spokeswoman from the local organization.

The Soles4Souls partnership aligns with Alpha Kappa Alpha’s global impact program, which focuses on the sorority’s efforts to engage in programming designed to enhance the international footprint of the sorority.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter was chartered in 2007, and since its founding, the chapter has been aggressively implementing programs of service in the communities of Laurel, Bowie and Greenbelt.  However, President Swindell emphasized the Chapter’s goal to reach beyond its local service area. 

“Although our specific service areas are Laurel, Bowie and Greenbelt, we are pleased that we are able to reach beyond our local community and help families around the world,” said Swindell.