Drama Club Collects Over 1,400 Pairs of Shoes For The Needy

The cast of Rocky Mount Elementary School’s Drama Club gave back in a big way through its production of “There Is No Place Like Home”, a parody on The Wizard of Oz that was performed in February. Connecting Dorothy’s ruby red slippers to the community, the drama club campaigned to collect shoes for the Smyrna-based charity, 40 Girls & Some Shoes.

By linking the annual production to a community service project, Principal Gail May hoped to inspire the children to do more. “It was important to us that the students broaden their view and learned to look outside their community,” said May.

After reading about 40 Girls & Some Shoes, drama coach Barbara Evangelista connected the play to the community service project with hope of collecting 100 shoes. Cast members encouraged their classrooms to donate and they collected 1,407 pairs of shoes for 40 Girls & Some Shoes.

“They revealed the number on the last night of the play,” recalled Sylvia Webb, founder of 40 Girls & Some Shoes. “I was absolutely floored that these kids and this community collected so many shoes that will help those less fortunate than them.”

The spirit of giving back stuck with the students as many were inspired to work with animal shelters or host football camps for disadvantaged youth. “It felt really good to do something to give back to someone who does not have a lot,” said Anna Yancey, 9, who played “Dorothy”.

Evangelista added, “With projects like this, we hope they build the confidence to see the possibilities to do more for their community as they get older.”

“There is No Place Like Home” was Rocky Mount’s third production that was linked to a community service project. In the past years, the plays have donated money to Zoo Atlanta and collected 10,000 books that were donated to MUST Ministries.