Donate your Used Running Shoes and T-Shirts at The Players Runners Expo

03/06/2023

It takes a village! We collect the shoes, but we need people to donate, people to sort the donations, people to store the donations, and people to hand out the donations.

Thank you to everyone for another great year!

03/04/2023

Andrew Badillo from First Coast News did a really nice story on the shoe collection yesterday. Check it out.

Carey Hepler has been running with the contraption for close to a decade and has collected shoe donations for 23 years. Hepler is moving to Spain next year.

02/27/2023

The shoes you donate this week will go to people like Richard to help them get back on their feet! :)

Richard has been homeless for years, but finally got a room at the Liberty Center. Though he is off the street, he still walks a lot as he doesn’t have a car. Richard was very excited to receive new shoes because he has been wearing “hand-me-downs” for a long time and needed more support. He loves basketball and cooking. His mother had a catering company and taught Richard to cook, and he’s proud to carry on her talents.

02/26/2023

Welcome to River Run week! Put your shoes in your car today so you don't forget them when you come to the Expo.

I'll see you there!

02/16/2023

Bring your shoes to the River Run Expo! It starts two weeks from today!

This is Gigi with Downtown Vision, Inc. She’s part of their cleaning team and loves having a job that gets her outside in the fresh air! Gigi needed some new work boots to better equip her for the work. Her customer service skills have been a big asset on the job since she talks to people all day. The most common thing people ask is how get around downtown – specifically to the tax collector’s office, the library and the red door church (that’s what many street people call DESC). Gigi is a Jacksonville native and is getting married Friday!

02/11/2023

I got a text from Beth at the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council - DESC this week. She told me that she just opened the last bag of shoes from the 2022 River Run donation. I told her it is good timing that we will be collecting at the Expo again next month.

When you donate, you help someone like Chris.

Chris came into DESC wearing socks and slides, despite the cold weather. He was very thankful to get new shoes as he suffers from gout and needs to protect his joints. He says he is lucky to be in a shelter where he can eat and rest.

02/06/2023

Another reminder that your donation helps people right here in Jacksonville. See you soon at the River Run Expo!

02/01/2023

Here is one of the results of all your kind donations. Thank you, and we'll see you soon at the 2023 River Run Expo.

Abdul has had it hard. He used to work in construction but now suffers from arthritis. He hopes these new shoes will help him find work soon. He walks about 6-9 miles every couple of days and is very thankful for the new kicks. Abdul also hopes to own a home in the future. He says he is an excellent cook and specializes in southern cooking.

01/20/2023

Hi Runners. Get your used shoes ready to take the Gate River Run Expo to help people like Jason!

Jason has not had it easy. He has had both brain and heart surgery, and his heart only works at 20%. He serves as a volunteer 4 days a week at a church helping with meals, cleaning and playing the drums. Jason has not had a new pair of shoes in years, even though he walks about five miles a day. He was so grateful to receive shoes to help protect his feet so he can continue serving.

12/23/2022

You can help our Jacksonville neighbors all through the year by donating to DESC.

Please consider a gift to help families avoid eviction, find case management services and pick up free groceries and clothing. Make the largest contribution you can before the end of the year.

PLEASE GIVE TODAY! THANK YOU! https://descjax.org/christmas/

12/15/2022

Your donated shoes in action!

Clarissa recently visited DESC to receive work shoes for her new job at Church’s Chicken. Clarissa's goal is to get her janitorial license, and to reach this goal she's also currently looking for opportunities in housekeeping. We can't wait to see where Clarissa's new shoes take her!