Over 60% of kids in Collier and Lee Counties are designated "economically needy".

The children who receive Laces of Love shoes are among these kids.

Laces of Love has provided over 250,000 kids in need
with new shoes in SWFL

The Laces of Love Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization that provides NEW shoes (usually sneakers) to low-income and disadvantaged children in Collier and Lee Counties, Florida, and educates the public about the needs of these children.

New sneakers and monetary donations (100% of which are used to purchase shoes unless otherwise designated) are extremely important and gratefully accepted. Laces also facilitates the donation of cleats and sport shoes to student athletes who, without proper shoes, would not be able to play their sport.

14769

Kids received new shoes
in 2021

60 %

Collier County public school
students designated
"economically needy"

70 %

Lee County public school
students designated
"economically needy"

Laces of Love provides only NEW shoes to “Laces” kids since, for many of the children, the Laces of Love shoes are the first pair of NEW shoes the child has ever had.

All shoe sizes are needed since Laces distributes shoes to needy kids from toddlers through high school seniors. Sneakers in adult size 1 – 11 (boys and girls) are especially needed. New shoes for Laces may be dropped off at Snyderman’s Shoes of Naples on US 41, at St. William Roman Catholic Church at 601 Seagate Drive in Naples.

Shoes are distributed through Collier and Lee County public schools (c/o guidance counselors and school nurses) and through non-profit organizations that serve needy kids. The shoes are fitted and given in the privacy of the staff offices. Laces of Love does not give shoes directly to families.

Laces of Love is 100% volunteer. There are no paid staff.

Helping a mother in need

We recently received this letter from a mother who really needed Laces support.

As a working mother, I have always taken comfort in the fact that I can provide for my children. I am usually the one donating my time and money to organizations that help others. So it was very hard for me to admit that I needed help when things got rough. At a point in my life where we were struggling to even feed our kids or keep gas in the car, it broke my heart when my son came to me telling me his shoes hurt – they were too small and falling apart. They were the only ones he had.

What do I do? I desperately needed to get my son new sneakers. I needed help. Thank you Laces of Love for getting my son new shoes. He was overjoyed and even thinks they hold special powers to make him run faster. Maybe they do – anything is possible with love. You helped make this hard time a little less difficult and I will forever be grateful.

Thank You!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Laces of Love and our mission of making sure no child in SWFL goes without decent shoes to wear. With your help, we can continue to make a difference one step at a time.

To find out more about where our shoes go, please visit our What We Do page.

Laces of Love is a US tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID Number: 20-2870936). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Click here for our latest annual report.