More than 700 pairs collected for local organizations

LANSING, MI January 20, 2017 — A Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club Caregiver has collected shoes, shoes and more shoes – more than 700 pairs for community organizations, and the drive ends today, Jan. 20.

Mark Sanford figures he has received more than 3,000 pairs of shoes since he began seeking donations in 2009. Sanford, Athletics Coordinator at the MAC, has placed a barrel in the lobby of the club, asking for donations of “gently used” shoes.

Members and the public have responded better than anyone could have imagined.

They have donated mostly athletic shoes, but also sandals, flip-flops and other footwear. The shoes will be donated to the Lansing Teen Challenge, the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing, the City Outreach shelter, and Lansing Parks and Recreation Department.

“I’ve been the representative at the MAC that ultimately donates our lost and found items that are 30 days or older to local homeless shelters and other area organizations around town,” Sanford said. “By doing so, I’ve developed a relationship with the good folks that operate these places. Knowing that one of their biggest needs is footwear, I came up with the idea of a shoe drive back in 2009.”

Sanford collected 179 pairs in that first year. The numbers have risen exponentially annually, to 447 in 2015. This year’s drive started around Thanksgiving.

Donations are still welcome by coming to the MAC at 2900 Hannah Boulevard, East Lansing. The shoe barrel is located outside of the Courtside Grille restaurant.

The shoe drive reflects the compassion that is a core value at Sparrow and our continuing mission to improve the health of the people in our communities.

Choose Wisely. Choose Sparrow. Photo caption: Mark Sanford, of the Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club, with some of the hundreds of shoes he has collected to be donated to local organizations. The drive ends today, Jan. 20. Donations can be made at the MAC at 2900 Hannah Boulevard.

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Sparrow, a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network, is mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization that includes hospitals in Lansing, St. Johns, Ionia and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Physicians Health Network, the Sparrow Medical Group and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit sparrow.org.