‘It feels really good to give back.’ Bellefonte fifth-grader launches year-round shoe collection
For Joey Gearhart, the holiday season won’t end after the new year. Instead, the Marion-Walker fifth-grader is looking to celebrate the season of giving all year — with shoes.
After someone donated $100 to purchase shoes for Pleasant Gap Elementary School students, Joey thought kids across the Bellefonte Area School District would benefit by having a stockpile to choose from in the event they forget their own for gym class or need an everyday pair. With the help of his dad, Adam, a Pleasant Gap teacher, Joey is collecting donations of shoes and money, hoping to purchase enough to benefit all four elementary schools.
“I took Joey along with me (to buy shoes), and the managers let him in the back, and he thought that was really neat to see,” Adam Gearhart said. “On the way home, he asked if he could raise money for his school, and it took off from there.”
In addition to money, Joey is asking for donations of new and lightly-used shoes, ranging from size youth 13 to men’s 9.
“It feels really good to give back,” he said. “There are kids in the world that don’t get stuff, but they deserve it.”
Response and participation in the drive has been great, Joey said. When he went to Dick’s Sporting Goods to make the first purchase, Joey said a man in line complimented him for his kindness, and the manager “gave him knuckles.” He has also received donations from friends and family members across the country.
Joey’s teacher Chris Cipro said the drive is reflective of the fifth-grader’s selflessness.
“He is constantly thinking about others and putting others before himself,” Cipro said. “This shoe donation demonstrates just that. What I love most about him is that he truly does this as an act of kindness and never expects anything in return.”
Having “barely mentioned” the shoe drive to classmates, Cipro said Joey is simply focused on “trying to get as many shoes as possible” for those in need.
Having raised over $200 and donated 22 shoes so far, Joey said he wants to donate at least 100 shoes this school year.
“I think it would make (students) happy because they got shoes,” Joey said. “Everyone has been really nice, and I’m proud of myself.”
If interested in donating, contact Adam Gearhart at agearhar@basd.net.
