Providing over 350,000 kids with new shoes in Collier & Lee Counties, Florida for 20 years
350,000+
Kids received new shoes to date
60+%
Collier County public school designated “economically needy”
78+%
Up to 78% of public school kids in Collier and Lee are considered "in need"
As seen in
What We Do
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Laces of Love gladly accepts new sneakers and monetary donations to help provide shoes to kids in need throughout Collier & Lee Counties. We prioritize shoe sizes ranging from kindergarten through high school seniors.
Sneaker distribution occurs through Collier & Lee County public schools and trusted partnering non-profits. To protect each child’s dignity, shoes are privately fitted in staff offices.
In addition to everyday footwear, Laces of Love also donates sports shoes to student athletes across Collier & Lee Counties.
Who Can Qualify
Children who live in Collier or Lee Counties are chosen for Laces of Love shoes by school staff or non-profit representatives who measure their feet for a proper fit and provide age, gender, and shoe size to Laces of Love. If suitable shoes aren’t on hand, Laces of Love procures and delivers them to the referring adult. The child is discreetly fitted in staff offices and given shoes with a Laces of Love tag. Recipients are encouraged to send a thank-you note or drawing, and select volunteers facilitate distributions at schools.
Where Our Shoes Go
With countless children in need, Laces of Love collaborates with a myriad of organizations to guarantee that those who need our shoes receive them. Our reach would be limited without the assistance of these organizations. For many years, Laces of Love has proudly teamed up with the following groups:
After School Programs Lee and Collier County
D’Ernest Johnson Football Camp
Edgrin James Football Camp-Immokalee/Naples
Guardian Ad Litem-Collier/Lee County
Immokalee Childcare Center
Helping Kids In Need
“There are many families in Naples that try their best to make ends meet but find it very difficult. Laces of Love has always stepped in to help these families receive the shoes they need for their children. Anytime I have ever needed a pair of shoes for a student, I have received a brand new pair within a day or two. I cannot tell you how thankful the child is, the families are, and how wonderful the feeling is to know that these children are receiving a the shoes they need. Thank you Laces of Love for all the love and kindness you consistently show our community.”
-Collier County School Counselor
A Message From Our President and Co-Founder
One Step at a Time – Jeanne’s Story
Many years ago when I was a young teacher, I drove a student home after a school performance only to discover he lived in a migrant camp. He and his siblings shared shoes. This experience would change my life forever.
Growing up in a family with eight children, I learned from our parents about giving. When I was a little girl, my mom gave me a book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. I learned from this book and my parents: The true meaning of love is in giving.
One day, my sister, Mary Myrmo, and I watched a film called “Children from Heaven.” This film was about two children who shared one pair of shoes because they were so poor. Realizing kids were sharing shoes in our community, we took action. We started to collect new shoes and deliver them to needy kids at local schools. When I was asked to give a motivational speech, I would request one pair of new shoes to be donated. One of the very first groups to collect shoes was the Boy Scouts. I will never forget walking in and finding all fifteen boys, each holding a new pair of shoes.
Over 300,000 new shoes later with a volunteer board of directors, and countless volunteers and supporters, through speaking engagements, Shoe Drives, and Shoe Parties, Laces of Love has been able to help many needy children one step at a time.
-Jeanne Nealon
Ubi-Caritas-est- vera-Deus-ibi-est
“Where True Charity and Love Dwell, God himself is there.”
– Servant Song/St. Williams Church
Registration #CH26085
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.