Help us turn gently worn shoes into hope, safety, and new beginnings for families in need.

Fredericksburg, Virginia | November–December 2026

One Pair of Shoes, One Step Toward Hope: FFT Helping Others Community Shoe Drive

Help us turn gently worn shoes into hope, safety, and new beginnings for families in need.

Fredericksburg, Virginia | November–December 2026

What if a pair of shoes sitting in your closet could help a mother and her children find a safe place to sleep tonight?

For families escaping domestic violence, everyday necessities can suddenly become overwhelming challenges. Many survivors leave dangerous situations with little more than the clothes they are wearing, uncertain of where they will sleep, how they will feed their children, or how they will reach safety.

At FFT Helping Others, we believe that no family should have to face those challenges alone.

That is why we are excited to announce our 2026 Community Shoe Drive Fundraiser, bringing together the Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and surrounding communities to make a difference—one pair of shoes at a time.

How Your Shoes Can Change Lives

Through our shoe drive fundraiser with microenterprise, FFT Helping Others is collecting gently worn, used, and new shoes to raise funds based on the total weight collected.

The funds raised will support our efforts to provide:

• Emergency hotel accommodations for families fleeing domestic violence.

• Food and essential supplies for parents and children experiencing hardship.

• Transportation assistance, including Uber and Lyft rides to help families access safety and essential services.

• Clothing and personal necessities for survivors rebuilding their lives.

Your donated shoes help many families in Fredericksburg and make an international impact. Through many networks, collected shoes are redistributed to micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries, helping them create small businesses and support their families.

One donation. Two opportunities to change lives.

Where and When to Donate Shoes

Location: Salem Church Branch Library, 2607 Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Upcoming Collection Dates:

• Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

• Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• Saturday, November 28, 2026 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

  
  

We welcome shoes of all sizes and styles, including children's, women's, and men's shoes.

Please donate only clean, gently worn, or new shoes in good condition. Shoes should not be torn, ripped, or moldy.

Students and Community Volunteers: We Need You!

Our shoe drive is also an opportunity for students, families, school clubs, churches, businesses, and community organizations to give back.

Volunteers can assist with collecting, sorting, organizing, and preparing donated shoes.

No advance sign-up is required. All ages and groups are welcome! Younger children should participate with adult supervision.

We also offer a special student participation initiative: 25 eligible shoes donated for 25 minutes of volunteer recognition credit, subject to approval by the student's school or program.

Whether you donate one pair, organize a collection at your workplace, or volunteer your time, your participation matters.

Why This Mission Is Personal

"As a survivor of domestic violence, I understand that leaving an abusive situation is not always the end of the struggle. For many families, it is the beginning of an uncertain journey toward safety, stability, and healing.

A mother should not have to choose between staying in danger and having somewhere safe for her children to sleep. Through FFT Helping Others, our goal is to help bridge that gap with compassion, dignity, and practical support.

When you donate shoes, you are doing more than clearing out your closet. You are helping us create opportunities for families to begin again."

— Cynthya Pagan Hale, Founder & CEO, FFT Helping Others

Businesses, Schools, and Organizations: Partner With Us

We invite local businesses, schools, colleges, churches, civic organizations, and community groups to join our shoe drive.

Consider organizing a shoe collection among your employees, students, members, or neighbors.

Every pair brings us closer to our fundraising goals and helps spread awareness about the needs of domestic violence survivors and families experiencing hardship.

Be the Reason Someone Takes Their Next Step Toward Safety

Sometimes, making a difference does not require a large financial contribution. It can begin with something as simple as opening your closet and choosing to give.

A pair of shoes you no longer wear could become part of something much greater.

Together, we can turn shoes into hope, compassion into action, and community support into life-changing assistance.

Thank you for walking alongside FFT Helping Others and the families we serve.

Get Involved Today!

Website: https://www.fft-helpingothers.comEmail: cynthya.hale@fft-helpingothers.com Text Phone: 386-717-0628

FFT Helping Others — Helping Families. Restoring Hope. Changing Lives.