United Way Receives 275 Pairs of Shoes from Progressive Foot Care’s Annual Drive

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) shared the magnificent results of Progressive Foot Care’s annual shoe collection drive, which provided a total of 275 pairs of shoes to UWWP’s Essential Goods for Basic Needs program. For the second consecutive year, Dr. Bruce Pinker and his team at Progressive Foot Care chose UWWP as the beneficiary of their 17th annual drive, which ran from October through December 2024.

The Essential Goods for Basic Needs program ensures community members have access to fundamental necessities, including proper footwear, which is crucial for maintaining health, mobility, and dignity. The donated shoes will be sorted by UWWP volunteers and distributed through the organization’s network of nonprofit partners to community members in need.

“We are immensely grateful to Dr. Pinker and Progressive Foot Care for selecting United Way as the beneficiary of their annual shoe drive for the second year,” said Avery Zuvic, Director of Community Impact at UWWP. “These 275 pairs of shoes will make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families who struggle to afford proper footwear.” 

The drive’s success relied on the generous contributions of Progressive Foot Care’s patients and community members, who donated new and gently used footwear throughout the holiday season. Dr. Pinker and his staff facilitated collections, while United Way organized volunteers for counting and sorting the donations and coordinated with local nonprofit agencies to ensure the shoes reach community members who need them most.

United Way of Westchester and Putnam extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Pinker, the Progressive Foot Care staff, the many donors who contributed footwear, and the volunteers who made this initiative possible. 

For more information about United Way of Westchester and Putnam’s Essential Goods for Basic Needs program or to learn how to support similar initiatives, please visit www.uwwp.org/egbn.