Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC – Dr. David Sullivan, Athletico Physical Therapy locations in Westfield, Whitestown and Noblesville, along with the Westfield High School boys lacrosse team announced Thursday that the organizations will partner with Changing Footprints to conduct a “Spring Cleaning with Meaning” shoe drive from April 22 to May 10. Shoes and boots of any type and in any condition for children and adults may be dropped off at Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC and the Athletico locations during their business hours:
- Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC: 16411 Southpark Drive, Suite B, Westfield
- Athletico Physical Therapy – Westfield: 956 Tournament Trail, Westfield
- Athletico Physical Therapy – Whitestown: 6848 Whitestown Pkwy., Suite 200, Zionsville
- Athletico Physical Therapy – Noblesville: 15887 Cumberland Road, Suite 103, Noblesville
The Westfield High School boys lacrosse team, coached by Troy Dinkel, will also take shoe donations during the team’s scheduled home games from April 22 to May 10.
Photo provided
Founded in 2005, Changing Footprints partners with organizations and businesses to collect previously-worn shoes and boots as well as new shoes and boots for distribution to homeless, disaster-stricken and underprivileged people at home and abroad. Over 180,000 pairs of shoes have been donated locally, across the U.S. and to 20 countries overseas. Shoes that are unacceptable for donation are sent to the Nike Grind program to be made into local playground material or football fields.
“In countries such as Afghanistan, where both children and adults may be barefoot in the mountains and the cold, shoes help prevent foot wounds, foot infections and amputations,” said Podiatrist Dr. David Sullivan of Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. “Donating a used or new pair of shoes is such a simple way to help keep children and adults healthy, free from disease and life-changing amputations.”
Changing Footprints supplies shoes to over 100 Indiana organizations including domestic abuse shelters, children’s services, school programs, low income assistance, homeless services, school programs, disaster relief and employment training. Some of the organizations in Hamilton and Boone counties that have benefitted from shoe drives conducted with Changing Footprints include the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County, Hamilton County Kids Coats and The Caring Center of Lebanon.
“Changing Footprints helps people understand that needs exist in our community, our area, our nation and foreign countries. It gives them a very personal way to contribute directly to help alleviate that need,” said Facility Manager and Physical Therapist Bryan Ruggles of Athletico’s Westfield location.
After the “Spring Cleaning with Meaning” shoe drive, Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC and Athletico Physical Therapy plan on taking shoe donations on an ongoing basis if the event is successful. In the fall, the businesses would like to conduct a shoe and boot drive to help those in need get ready for winter weather.
Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC was founded in 2008 by Dr. David Sullivan, a board-certified foot surgeon and wound specialist, to treat patients with foot and ankle conditions and ailments. Athletico Physical Therapy has 29 locations around Indiana and provides outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic training services.