In an attempt to make the world a little greener, two young gymnasts have been collecting sneakers to save space in landfills.
After watching television shows about service projects and supporting her mom, Blythe, through breast cancer treatments, Carmel, 9, of Manalapan, wanted to give back to the community.
The individuals interviewed for this article asked that their last names not be used.
While her mom went through two years of cancer treatments, Carmel often brought up the idea of wanting to help others and making a change for the planet.
When the foundation GotSneakers caught Blythe’s eye, she and Carmel knew it was the right fit for them.
GotSneakers will accept donations of sneakers in any condition to recycle them or to donate them to a home where they are needed. The foundation sends anyone who collects sneakers bags in which the sneakers may be sent via UPS, which makes the process easier, especially for children, according to Blythe.
“I wanted something younger kids could understand and relate to, and something the kids could connect with. I liked the idea of donating sneakers because they can be recycled into playground mulch, which is something my kids love,” Blythe added.
Carmel recruited her gymnastics teammate, Caylee, 11, of Freehold Township, to help her with the sneaker recycling effort.
Caylee and her mom, Rachel, have supported Carmel and Blythe’s family during the time Blythe has undergone her cancer treatment.
“At first the girls were nervous about going door to door asking people to donate their sneakers, but after going to many houses they realized people are a lot more responsive than they had thought,” Blythe said.
Carmel and Caylee are members of the Freehold Elite Gymnastics team in Freehold Township. For each pair of sneakers that is donated, the girls will receive 25 cents for their team. Their goal is to collect 500 pairs of sneakers and so far they have collected about 100 pairs of sneakers.
“Meeting our community and smiling at our neighbors when we went door to door felt so good because we knew we were going to help others,” Caylee said.
Sneakers of any size and in any condition are accepted by GotSneakers.
“The girls get excited when there is a re-wearable pair of sneakers that gets donated because it means they are going to a new home, but also because they will get more money toward their gymnastics team. They also think it’s hilarious when they get a men’s size 14 basketball shoe because to them it looks like the biggest shoe in the world because they are so petite,” Blythe said.
On May 18-19, Carmel and Caylee held a sneaker drive in front of Freehold Elite Gymnastics on Paragon Way in Freehold Township. The girls held up colorful handmade signs to catch the eye of drivers passing by.
The girls’ gymnastics coach, Pru McLaughlin, was excited to make a donation to help a good cause.
“I have known these girls for a couple of years and was more than willing to donate my old sneakers. It also doesn’t hurt that it is going to offset some costs of gymnastics as well,” McLaughlin said.
After 30 minutes, the girls had three bags filled with donated sneakers. They are hoping to continue the success they have had thus far.
Carmel, Caylee and their moms will continue to accept donations of sneakers as they try to help the environment. The girls hope to eventually place a sneaker collection bin at a local business and to continue holding donation events.
“I love seeing people donating because it means it is helping our planet be greener,” Carmel said.