Local podiatrist Dr. Mary Carlson is the founder of Shoes for All, a non-profit organization located in Albertson. Carlson said she created this charity to help collect gently worn shoes, “because there are families, mothers, fathers and children who have tremendous financial problems right here in the United States and who need our help.”
In the spring of 2013, Carlson teamed up with the Life Skills Program at The Wheatley School in Old Westbury, to help provide a vocational training site for students in this unique program. This program provides job-related training skills for students with special needs, preparing them for adulthood.
Once a week, the Life Skills students work in the SFA office to sort, clean and organize the donated shoes. Students package orders for charities, take shoe inventory and develop office and clerical skills. Students also learn how to work as a team, communicate and organize their workspace.
Wheatley held its fifth annual Day of Service and Learning on Oct. 23. Each year, Wheatley’s staff and students volunteer to help their community.
This year, students volunteered at 35 different sites, some within the school buildings and many outside their buildings, in the surrounding communities. Students in the Life Skills Program will be volunteering alongside other Wheatley students at SFA on this Day of Service and Learning.
For additional information about Shoes for All go to their website at www.shoesforall-sfa.com.
