Every small gesture counts!

By Emmanuel Epongo and Amaryllis Antonopoulou, ACS Athens Athletic Council Members

The Sports Shoes Recycling project dates to the early part of 2015; it is a project that the Athletic Department has embraced through the years and one which makes us proud because it is a testament that simple, small gestures can and do make a difference in someone’s life.

As athletes, we truly understand the crucial role that shoes play in providing safety and enhancing our performance during athletic events. Recently, we had the remarkable opportunity to collaborate with the athletic office and the NGO “Institute Team for the World” for an inspiring Shoe Drive. Our journey began with a simple meeting with the Athletic Council, where we discussed the importance of providing quality footwear to those in need. Carrying the torch of the shoe drive, we were determined to make a difference and made it a mission to spread the word throughout the school.

Our council designed captivating posters that adorned the hallways, capturing the attention of teachers and students from K-12. The response was overwhelming as our school community rallied behind the cause, generously donating a vast collection of high-quality shoes of all different sizes. The donation bins overflowed within a short span of time, signaling the beginning of our exhilarating race to pack and prepare the shoes for distribution.

On that morning, our determination was unmatched as we approached the task, fiercely committed to completing the packing process. Thankfully, we were joined by Reign and Isaiah, our fellow ACS Athens peers, whose support and teamwork were invaluable. Together, our teamwork was able to get the dream work of sorting and tying each pair of shoes for their new owners.

The atmosphere was filled with passion as we hustled to finish packing just moments before the bell rang for our next class. The sight of over 300 pairs of shoes neatly arranged and ready for distribution filled us with a profound sense of pride and accomplishment. It was a