ST. MARYS - A shoe store in St. Marys is making sure veterans and active-military members have warm feet this winter.
As of Nov. 27, Shoe Sensation's Socks for Troops program has collected nearly 4,000 pairs of socks and 585 shoelaces for local veterans and active-duty military overseas nationally.
Store manager Christy Moonan said the program started at the store in St. Marys in 2013 and because of the impact it made, the company decided to take the program nation wide.
Socks and laces are donated to the store and given to any active military member or veteran in Elk County.
Moonan said whatever is left over is given to a homeless shelter in Clearfield County.
She said in 2013, they organization only collected 300 pairs of socks; the second year, almost 700 pairs.
"Last year, we collected over 1,300 pairs and we're looking to beat that number this year," Moonan said.
The program will continue in all 150 Shoe Sensation locations through Christmas Eve.
The store offers a 20 percent discount on socks purchased for donation but also accepts new unworn socks purchased elsewhere.
"If it weren't for them, none of us would be here," Moonan said. "Because of that reason, I think that they deserve the respect and the thoughts that come along with the socks and the laces."
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