Back-to-school Sneaker Drive extended until goal reached

The back-to-school Sneaker Drive for Laces of Love will be extended until the goal of 500 new pair of shoes is reached. Laces of Love provides new shoes (preferably sneakers) to low income and disadvantaged children in Lee and Collier counties, and educates the public on the needs of these children.

"We won't stop until the kids of Lehigh stop sitting in their classrooms because they lack sneakers for recess," promises Karen R. Makowski, president and CEO of Panther Community Bank, N.A., which continues to donate a new pair of sneakers for every new bank relationship opened.

DeAnn Krauss, a Laces of Love board member, has been in contact with local schools. So far this school year, Laces of Love has received 90 requests and 83 pairs have been delivered to: Harns Marsh Elementary, Veterans Park Academy, East Lee County High, Lehigh Elementary, Lehigh Acres Middle, Lehigh Senior High

Panther Community Bank adopted Laces of Love as its official charity in 2007 and has helped to provide more than 400 pairs of shoes in Lehigh Acres. The goal for this drive is to collect 500 new pairs of shoes for Lehigh Acres school children.

The Lehigh Acres Community Council plans a sneaker party at its Sept. 15 monthly meeting, according to President Damon Shelor.

The Bridge Networking Group is also having a sneaker party at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at the Colonial Country Club. Check out its Web site at www.thebridgenetworking. com.

"In an effort to encourage all of us to donate new sneakers for this worthy cause, Classic CarWash2 will extend a $5 discount towards the purchase of any No. 3 or higher wash package when a new pair of sneakers is donated," said Jeff London, the owner of Classic CarWash2.

Here is how you can help:

1. Purchase a pair of sneakers for boys and girls, (sizes youth 12 - adult 11) and drop them off at Panther Community Bank (50 Joel Blvd.) or Classic CarWash2 (5280 Lee Blvd.)

2. Sponsor a sneaker drive though your organization or host a sneaker party as one of your events.

3. Make a monetary donation, of which 100 percent goes to purchase sneakers.

This extended drive is co-sponsored by Panther Community Bank, the Community Council of Lehigh Acres, the Lehigh Acres Citizen, and Classic CarWash2.