One Month Left to Donate Shoes for Friends of the Desert Mountains Fundraiser

There's about one month left to help raise funds for Friends of the Desert Mountains through the organization's valley-wide shoe drive.

The nonprofit has been collecting gently worn, used, and new footwear since February 1 and will continue accepting donations through March 31. Friends of the Desert Mountains receives payment from Funds2Orgs based on the total weight of shoes collected, with proceeds supporting free public hikes and youth education programs. The organization serves as the official nonprofit partner of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

Donated shoes are redistributed through Funds2Orgs' network of micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries, where they're resold to support small businesses.

The drive is part of a larger "Annual Giving Day" initiative involving Coachella Valley organizations and businesses in March.

Shoes can be dropped off at nine locations, including the Friends of the Desert Mountains office at 51-500 Highway 74 in Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs Community Center, REI Co-Op in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, La Quinta City Hall, La Quinta Wellness Center, First Tee, and two Desert Recreation District community centers in Palm Desert and Portola. The organization plans to add more drop-off sites throughout the drive.

A full list of locations and hours is available here.