Corbin students collecting old shoes for WaterStep project

A group of students at Corbin High School are working to collect used and even mismatched shoes, ranging from flipflops to boots, to benefit the WaterStep organization.

The students, led by Social Studies teacher Cheryl Tinsley and students Olivia Martinez and Jacob Hensen will be collecting the shoes through May 11.

Tinsley said the shoes are then sold to a third company that recycles them.

WaterStep uses the proceeds to repair broken water wells and to purchase water balls that enable residents that typically travel miles to reach a water source to more easily transport the water.

“The balls hold 12 to 20 gallons of water and may be rolled,” Tinsley explained.

“They teach the residents how to repair the wells and provide filters that can filter up to 10,000 gallons of water per day.

In addition, WaterStep provides chlorine generators, water filtration systems, and well drilling kits.

Tinsley said the effort by Corbin students, now in its ninth year, has now collected more than 13,000 pairs of shoes.

In addition to the schools in the Corbin Independent system, Tinsley said multiple churches throughout Whitley County have volunteers to serve as collection points.

Any churches, businesses or organizations that would like to help with the effort may contact Tinsley via email at cheryl.tinsley@corbin.kyschools.us.

“If any business or organization in the area would like to be a donation place, we will get them a donation box,” Tinsley said.

More information about the program is available at www.waterstep.org.