AFTON – The Afton Free Library is once again participating in the Great Give Back, a statewide initiative that encourages libraries and their patrons to take part in community service projects.

Following its campaign last year to collect mittens and hats for local foster children, this year the Afton Free Library is collecting sneakers for the Afton Central School District nurse’s office.

Sneakers of all sizes, in new or gently used condition, can be brought to the collection box inside the Afton Free Library during regular hours: Monday, noon to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

“We've partnered with the school and asked them what they needed, and that's when the nurse's office told us that she really needed sneakers for kids, all sizes,” said library manager Michelle Hurd. The school district nurse specifically requested they collect sneakers, rather than boots.

The collection began on October 26 and will continue through November 24, just before Thanksgiving. While donations have started coming in, organizers say they need more. The nurse’s office serves students across all grades in the Afton Central School District, so shoes for any age group are welcome. Hurd noted that some children even wear adult sizes, making donations of any size helpful.

As part of the collection, and to thank donors, the library will hold a drawing for a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. One entry is allowed per person who donates.

Hurd said that the library has participated in the Great Give Back each year she has worked there and that they plan to continue participating in the future. While the statewide initiative is traditionally centered around a single day of service that takes place in October, individual libraries have the flexibility to organize projects that extend beyond that date to better meet local needs.

“It's important for the library to be giving back to the community that supports us. We're here for the community and because of the community,” Hurd said.

Hurd said last year’s Great Give Back had a “wonderful response from the community” and expects an equally great response this year to benefit the school, though the library is still seeking donations.

“The Library is so thankful for the support of our community members, we take this Great Giveback initiative seriously, and we want to give back to our community,” she said, “because we have a great community, and they're so awesome at supporting us.”

Library officials hope residents will once again rally behind the effort and help provide Afton students with the footwear they need. Each donation helps local students have access to a necessity that can make a difference in and out of the classroom.