Shoe Drive Fundraiser

Pictured from left to right setting up a collection box at the Berryville Community Center for the Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary’s shoe drive fundraiser are Mercy Berryville administrator Tom Guhr, Auxilian Kelly Huntley, Berryville Community Center volunteer Susette Sigmo and Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary president Carolyn Bosshardt. Photo courtesy of Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary

Posted Tuesday, January 6, 2026 5:00 pm

Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser through Feb. 28 to raise funds for the MRI Project for Mercy Hospital Berryville. Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Those dollars will benefit the purchase and housing of a new MRI to be located at Mercy Hospital Berryville. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes.

Dropoff stations are available in Green Forest at the Mercy Thrift Store, 647 W. Main St.; Green Forest United Methodist Church, 200 S. Springfield Ave; and the First Assembly of God Church, Highway 103 North. In Berryville, dropoff stations are located at the Berryville Community Center, 301 Dr. Spurlin Circle; and Berryville United Methodist Church, 400 Eureka Ave. Dropoff stations in Holiday Island are located at Sunfest Market, 1 Forest Park Drive, and Grace Bible Church, 3807 Highway 23 South.

All donated shoes will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of small business partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school.

“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Carolyn Bosshardt, president of Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for the purchase of a full-time MRI at Mercy Hospital Berryville and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to the Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world.

Mercy Hospital Berryville Auxiliary is a group of volunteers that supports Mercy Hospital Berryville. Opportunities to serve include volunteering in the hospital at the information desk, surgical waiting room, or the gift shop. Other volunteer options include the Mercy Thrift Store in Green Forest, community blood drives, special sales events, and the calling tree. For those interested in volunteering, applications are available at https://www. mercy. net/ forms/ arkansas- volunteer-application/ or by calling 479-981-2379.