St. Catherine of Siena hosting shoe collection drive

The youth group at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee has launched a shoe collection drive through June 14 to raise funds for its participation in the summer Steubenville Youth Conference.

Members of the community are encouraged to donate gently worn shoes, new and used, to the church.

A donation box will be available in the church entrance narthex, 845 W. Main St.

"We are excited to launch our shoe drive," said Jessica Cranston, director of Youth Ministry at St. Catherine of Siena Church. "It will benefit our youth group to raise funds for their trip and will also help those less fortunate to become self-sufficient."

"Most people have extra shoes in their closets," added Deacon Hank Schmalen. "We appreciate all shoe donations as they will give others a second chance to make a difference in their lives. It's a win-win for everyone."

The high school youth group will earn funds based on the number of pairs collected. The donated shoes, in turn, will be purchased by Funds2Orgs, a social based enterprise company that distributes shoes to microentrepreneurs in developing nations.

The dollars obtained from the shoe drive will benefit the youth group's weekend trip to the summer youth conference at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, held by Steubenville University.

Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa.

For information, contact Jessica Cranston at (847) 370-2534 or email youthministry@stcatherinechurch.com.