Grayslake school collects 634 gym shoes

The students of Woodland Elementary West collected 634 used gym shoes to recycle as part of the “Nike Grind” project, Woodland Elementary District 50 officials announced in a news release.

The shoes will be ground up and made into playground and athletic surfaces, putting them to good use and keeping them out of the landfill.

Second-grade teacher Kristine Higgins’ class collected 215 pairs of shoes. They will receive an extra recess supervised by Principal David Brown.

“I am so proud of my West students,” Brown said. “They showed their truly caring and giving natures through this worthwhile endeavor. A job well done.”

As part of the fundraiser, the school is collecting spare change. The money collected will be used to purchase rain barrels for use in the Elementary West Harvest Garden. This fundraiser will continue through the month of May.

“Due to the overwhelming response, the student council from Warren Township High School, in cooperation with staff at Gold’s Gym in Gurnee, will help sort and prepare the shoes for pick up,” said teacher and organizer Mary Beth Brierton.

“I am so proud of our efforts here at Elementary West. Seeing the mountains of shoes gave the students a clear idea of the amount of waste they were keeping out of the landfill. The students and teachers did a great job. It really turned into a community project.”