Shoes for the Un-shoed Continues Growing

One year later and still going strong, Gables student Mccall Horton has continued to work hard to keep her project “Shoes for the Unshoed” going throughout COVID-19. “Shoes for the Unshoed” is a shoe drive that Horton started among her and her friends at the age of 10 after being inspired by the main character in the book “Holes” who steals a pair of shoes. Eventually, what began as a small drive between her friends grew into a community wide shoe drive. All of the shoes that Horton collects are donated to the Miami Rescue Mission.

“I wanted to do a beneficial activity based on the book, so I did a small shoe drive that eventually developed into the project I have today,” senior Mccall Horton said.

Mccall Horton is a senior in the International Baccalaureate program here at Gables. She is the Vice President of Troupe and Gables Players and is also a part of Key club and Interact. She enjoys being part of clubs that allow her to become involved in her community.

Due to Horton being so young at the time she established “Shoes for the Unshoed,” she received some support from her mother in getting started. However, once it had been set up, the drive became a one woman show with Horton as the leader.

Horton’s favorite part of the drive is how much it pushes her to try new things and meet new people. In order to inform citizens from her community about “Shoes for the Unshoed,” she has not only used her connection from her school and community theatre, but has also been on television and the radio reaching out to as many people as she can.

“Being able to meet so many people through my project has helped me so much and I have learned from all the people who have helped make it possible. It has encouraged me to be more vocal about what I believe in and how to be a better and well rounded person,” senior Mccall Horton said.

While the pandemic did impact “Shoes for the Unshoed” and the way it flowed, Horton did not let it stand in her way of helping others. She has continued to reach out to those in her community using social media, and as a result has been able to keep the drive going all throughout quarantine.

If anyone is interested in donating or was looking for more information regarding the drive they can contact Horton through her email, [email protected] or check out her instagram @shoesfortheunshoed, where her DM’s are open for questions. From her elementary years until the current day, Horton has devoted so much time and energy in keeping up this drive, benefitting her community. There is no doubt that she will continue to work hard and improve into the future.