How to Donate Dance Shoes

Consider donating gently-used pointe shoes to less-fortunate young ballerinas.

Your old ballet, jazz or tap shoes can make someone who wants to dance very happy. Many people, especially in areas hit by natural disasters, have no money for luxuries like dance shoes. Dance studios and dance wear stores throughout the United States have begun collecting gently used shoes for distribution either within the studio or through programs that get the shoes to those who need them. Children's shoes, which are quickly outgrown and often barely used when retired, are especially appreciated.

Instructions

1. Examine your shoes for signs of wear. If they have holes in the soles, they may be beyond repair. A loose tap, however, can be nailed back on, or even replaced with a new one. Pointe shoes may just need new ribbons.

2. Invest an hour cleaning up your shoes. Sew new ribbons on pointe shoes if they need them. Shine tap or character shoes. Ballet flats that haven't been worn in a while might benefit from new elastic straps.

3. Call dance schools, studios and stores in your area to find out if any of them accept shoe donations. If so, drop your shoes off there. If not, ask if they would consider setting out a basket in which students or customers can drop off their used shoes. Make flyers to hang over the basket. Be sure to include the date by which you plan to collect its contents.

4. Contact Boulder, CA-based One World Running to donate used athletic shoes, including dance shoes. Castaic, CA-based ELITE Dance Studios regularly passes on shoes their students can't use to One World. If you would prefer to donate through ELITE, email them at [e-mail] or call 661-295-7774. Email One World at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. If you live in Colorado, Alabama, California, Virginia, Miami, or Ontario, check the One World drop off locations listed in the references to see if they have a site near you.

5. Wear your new dance shoes proudly and gratefully, knowing that there will come a day when they will have a second life on a pair of feet less fortunate than yours.

References

• One World Running: Drop Off Locations
• Spotlight Performance Wear: Donate Your Used Dance Shoes
• Elite Dance Studios: One World Running

Resources

• Donate Your Old Shoes