A “Sole” Reason for Giving

Students in the Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) class in sports management put their best foot forward this spring for Soles4Souls, a drive to collect gently used unwanted shoes for people who lack resources and have a need. 

Their efforts paid off—the Canterbury community stepped up and donated 80 pairs of shoes! During the past month, bins for shoe drops were made available at various locations throughout campus. At the conclusion of the drive, the SUPA classmates, along with their teacher, Director of Athletic Training and Associate Director of Athletics Misi Babington, collected all donations and packaged them up for delivery to Soles4Souls.

The national organization then turns the shoes into “opportunity,” as the Soles4Souls website describes it. The site continues: “When people lack the resources to get through today, it is difficult for them to focus on tomorrow. Soles4Souls turns shoes and clothing into opportunities for education and employment, so they can have a more hopeful future.” 

SUPA student Cavan Dowler ’24 was pleased and proud to be involved. “It was empowering to come together as a class and organize an event that united our community for those less fortunate,” he said. “The experience was eye-opening, and being a part of it alongside my peers was a feeling like no other.”

Community service is a staple of what it means to be a Saint, and these servant leaders came through in a big way.