ATHLETIC ARTS CENTER Launches Shoe Drive Fundraiserto Raise Money for Local Musical Production

Athletic Arts Center is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser between July 27, 2026 – September 17, 2026 to raise funds for its upcoming local production of SIX - The Musical Teen Edition. The costs of producing a show like this is quite expensive. The cast has organized several fundraisers including this shoe drive. Athletic Arts Center 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 help offset the costs of this production. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes. Donations can be dropped off at Athletic Arts Center (401 10^th Avenue, Jasper, AL 35501) Monday through Thursday between 11am and 6pm until September 17^th.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (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 director, Maria Ross Campsey. "We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money to support local arts and young artists, 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 for this production, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world.

Athletic Arts Center, located in Jasper, has spent more than 19 years providing dance and performing arts education for children and adults while creating opportunities for artistic expression and community collaboration. Through classes, productions, and partnerships, the organization has become a cornerstone of arts education in Walker County. The center has presented its annual production of The Nutcracker for the past 18 years and has built an impressive musical theatre program that includes Annie KIDS (2015), Dear Edwina Jr. (2016), The Little Mermaid Jr. (2017), Seussical Jr. (2019), Frozen Jr. (2020), Scenes From A Quarantine (2021), Honk, Jr! (2022), Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical Jr. (2023), Annie Jr. (2024), Disney's Descendants: The Musical (2025), and The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (TYA) (2026). In addition to its own productions, Athletic Arts Center has collaborated with the Walker County Arts Alliance, Bevill State Community College, and Walker Community Theatre to bring larger productions to local audiences. Those collaborations have included Annie(2011), The Music Man (2012), High School Musical Jr. (2013), High School Musical 2 Jr. (2014), Cinderella KIDS (2016), I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (2016), Madagascar Jr. (2018), and Always... Patsy Cline (2023).

For additional information visit athleticartsctr.com or contact Athletic Arts Center at 205-387-9337.

###