Spring Cleaning Benefits Land Conservation
Friends of the Desert Mountains (Friends) (DesertMountains.org) is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser February-March to raise funds for desert conservation work. Friends will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Those dollars will benefit Friends daily operations, including our Free Public Hikes and our Youth Education programs. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at any of our collection boxes throughout Coachella Valley [list is below].
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise and small business partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school.
“We are SO excited about our shoe drive,” said Friends Executive Director Tammy Martin “We know that most people have extra shoes and boots in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for protecting the desert, we keep shoes out of landfills, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone, so start your spring cleaning now and donate those shoes to Friends.”
By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to the Friends, the shoes are given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world. Any footwear from “sandals to snow boots” with a little life in their sole. We connect to the land with our shoes; now we can share them with others while making our valley more sustainable.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS MORE TO COME!
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Friends Offices 51-500 Hwy 74 @ Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Centrer, Palm Desert Monday – Friday 9 AM-4 PM |
Desert Hot Springs Community Center 11-750 Cholla Dr, M-F 10-5 | REI Co-Op Rancho Mirage 71800 CA-111, Monday – Friday 10AM – 8PM, Saturday 9AM-7PM Sunday
11AM-6PM |
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Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce 72559 CA-111; M-Th, 8 AM – 8 PM, Friday 8 AM – 4 PM
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Desert Recreation District/Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo Ave; Monday – Friday – 6 AM – 9 PM, Saturday 9 AM – 2 PM, Sunday and Holidays – Closed |
Desert Recreation District/Portola Community Center 45-480 Portola Avenue, Monday – Friday – 8AM – 8:30PM, Saturday & Sunday – Closed |
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First Tee 74945 Sheryl Monday – Friday 7AM – 9PM |
La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, Monday – Thursday 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
La Quinta Wellness Center 78450 Avenida La Fonda, Monday – Friday 6 AM – 7 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 6 AM – 2 PM |
About Friends
Friends of the Desert Mountains connects people to the land through conservation, education, and research. We also are the official non-profit partner of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. We engage all ages and abilities to reveal the wonders of the fragile desert and mountains we call home and instill an environmental awareness that we hope lasts a lifetime. Friends is a 501(c)3 supported by donations. DesertMountains.org.
