COVINGTON, Ga. - The Covington Woman’s Club is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser through the end of 2018 to raise funds for maintenance of its 103-year-old building. 

The Covington Woman’s Club will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Ord will issue a check for the collected shoes. Anyone can donate shoes at participating small businesses; Ludies, Living Roots, Maddie Mae Children’s Boutique, Covington Dance Shoppe, Big Lots, Hometown Realty Consultants, Mainstreet Trolley and Moxie Fitness.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Ords network to micro-enterprise 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 shoes drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. 

“We are very excited about our shoe drive,” Lindsey Moore, fundraising chair, said. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closet they would like to donate to us. Six hundred million shoes end up in landfills every year. We’d love to see these shoes create jobs instead. By doing so, we raise money to maintain our club for future generations of young female philanthropists and we have a chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

About the Covington Woman’s Club

The Covington Woman’s Club is considered by the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs to be the oldest club in the state with its formation being in 1898. In 1909, the club was able to purchase a 33 by 100 foot lot located on the eastern edge of downtown Covington for $750. The neoclassical style brick building was constructed in 1915 at the cost of $2,500 and named the Covington Woman’s Club Library. In 1962, the club members remodeled the inside of the building and changed the name on the buildings front Covington Woman’s Club.

The beautiful building is on the Historical Register and contains many priceless items on display to be enjoyed by citizens interested in the heritage and history of Covington/Newton County. Two stained glass windows are located on the front of the building and the large red carpet covering the entire room is from the original Fox Theater. It still houses 100-year old bookcases from its days as a library.

For information about the Covington Woman’s Club building or membership, contact Billie Hester at billie_hester@yahoo.com.