Shoes from the H.E.A.R.T. breaks 8,000-pair mark during 2026 giveaway

ALBANY – A group of Dougherty County retirees with a passion for giving hit a milestone this week when members, assisted by school officials, handed out the 8,000th pair of shoes to elementary school students.

The gift is one of “Shoes From the H.E.A.R.T.”, as in Hands Extended Across Reaching Together, which was formed by Procter & Gamble retirees looking to help their community. In 2009, the group hit on the idea of giving away shoes to less-fortunate students in the school system during the holiday season. 

After starting out with about 200 pairs, the group hit a target of as many as 500 in some years, distributing them to students identified by school officials.

For 2006, the distribution included five schools, the first coming at Radium Springs Elementary School, with a total of about 400 pairs of shoes. The other elementary schools covered were Martin Luther King Jr., Northside, Robert Harvey and Turner.

“We ask them as much as possible to do a cross-section of the school and the ones who are most in need,” H.E.A.R.T. CEO and President Anne Johnson said. “We choose schools based on data showing the most needy in the community.

“There are a couple of other schools we know we need to reach. We do want to add Alice Coachman back into the distribution. If we could go to 600 (pairs), that would be even better. Hopefully in 2027 …”

The shoe giveaway happens once a year, but the group is already planning for next year. January will kick off with the largest single fundraiser during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, hosted by the H.E.A.R.T. organization. An annual campaign, “Dollars of Hope,” is held each July through October for that year’s shoe drive.

In addition, individuals may give year-round.

Donations come in from close to home and around the country, and even donors in Canada, Johnson said. They come from individuals, churches, fraternities and sororities, and other organizations.

“Back in 2009, one of our board members’ wives was working with the school system and mentioned the need,” Johnson said. “That’s how it started. We started, we were going to do 100 pairs. The need was so great (that) board members went out and bought 100 more.”

For the second year, the Feeding the Valley Food Bank had the shoes shipped to its facility in Lee County, where they were sorted by school, and also helped deliver them to the various campuses.

The shoe provider, Required Team Gear in Texas, helps keep prices low. This year the company shipped the shoes in bags instead of boxes, reducing shipping costs, Johnson said.

In addition to the breakfast and shoe distribution, H.E.A.R.T. provides mentoring for girls through its G.L.O.W. (Girls Leading Others Wisely) program.

“We want to continue to ask the community to support the things we’re doing,” Johnson said.