Shoe drive makes a difference locally and abroad

TIFFIN --- Local group, "Team Buggie" is collecting gently worn, used and new shoes now through Dec. 3, to raise funds for Steve Norman's double lung transplant. Team Buggie will earn funds from Funds2Orgs, an organization that will issue a check based on the total weight of the pairs of shoes. Those dollars will benefit Steve Norman. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at 47 Hair Station, Hair Salon at 47 N. Washington St., Tiffin between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. All shoes are acceptable except roller skates and ice skates. Children and adult sizes are needed. Boots, shoes, slippers, sneakers, flip-flops and sandals can be collected. The goal is 500 pairs of shoes, which will raise $2,000. All donated shoes will then be redistributed through the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs helps micro-entrepreneurs create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe, and house the families of the small business partners. "We are excited about our shoe drive", said Cheryl Radin-Norman, "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for Steve to have the double lung transplant, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It's a win-win for everyone." By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to the Team Buggie Shoe Drive, the shoes will be given a second chance to make a difference in people's lives around the world. Steve Norman, also known as BuggiesPopPop, is in the process of working with the Cleveland Clinic for a double lung transplant. Once he is eligible for the list, he will need to live at the Cleveland Clinic for 3 to 6 months, while maintaining his home in Tiffin. and to be able to pay the co-pays for the special medications that he will require to maintain the transplant.