LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Campo girls basketball team surpasses goal, collects 1,600 shoes for Soles4Souls


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More than a thousand pairs of shoes will be distributed overseas to help those in need thanks to a shoe drive by the Campolindo High School girls' basketball team and sponsored by realtor Jon Wood of Compass, a national real estate technology company. Surpassing their goal of 500 pairs of shoes, the girls collected over 1,600 pairs for Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that turns unwanted shoes into opportunity by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use.

Soles4Souls distributes shoes to underprivileged people worldwide and also fights poverty by distributing them to local micro-entrepreneurs, who can resell them to earn a living for their families.

"It was incredible to witness the town of Moraga, the community I grew up in, show up in a powerful way to support these young women and Soles4Souls," said Wood. "I am sincerely proud to be a part of this effort!"

The 1,600 pairs of shoes collected by the girls' basketball team filled 60 boxes and three trucks. The donations also removed 2,000 pounds of textiles from landfills and eliminated 48,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

"The girls showed leadership, teamwork, and compassion for those in need," said Bill Flitter, coach of the Campolindo High School girls' basketball team. "We appreciate all of their hard work and look forward to the next community give-back event."

"It was amazing to witness the passion and courage of the team during the difficult times we live in," added Wood. "Under the leadership of the coach and his amazing wife, they gave in a deep and meaningful way which makes this holiday season even more special. I was so proud to be able to support their incredible efforts and results."