OKEECHOBEE — An Okeechobee mom, Dena Baker, recently celebrated with her daughter as the younger woman and her team collected more than 3,000 pairs of shoes to help finance this year’s Operation Walk Florida. The shoes drive was new for their team but will definitely be something they will do again.

As explained in this video, Operation Walk video, Operation Walk Florida began as a way to help those who struggle with mobility receive a life-changing surgery. “Imagine living in constant pain, unable to walk or perform basic tasks,” said Dr. Jason Smiley. “Then, imagine being given a second chance at life through a successful surgery. That’s what Operation Walk Florida does every day.”

Operation Walk Florida is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through the gift of mobility. Surgery is provided for those who need it but cannot afford it. The team travels locally and internationally offering surgical and post operative care.

Dena’s daughter, Jessica Pelkowski, is a DNP (doctor of nursing practices) as well as certified in orthopedic surgery, who participates each year in Operation Walk Florida by taking a trip to Guatemala with her team and providing the services needed. She lives in Jacksonville and works for Mayo Clinic. She, Dr. Cameron Ledford, an RN and a surgical technician will be heading to Guatemala soon for their third trip. The medical team are all volunteers and pay their own way to and from the country as well as for their food and lodging. The money from the fundraiser will be used for medical supplies.

The group gathered 120 bags of shoes to donate. Eight of those bags came from donations in Okeechobee. The shoes took up more and more space in Jessica’s house as the time grew closer for them to be picked up and delivered. “Anyone can do a shoe drive,” she explained. “But make sure you have plenty of room for the bags of shoes.”

Jessica’s shoe fundraiser netted $1,447.20 and was handled through an organization called funds2orgs. The organization’s website, funds2orgs,  explains, “Reach your fundraising goals with a shoe drive fundraiser by partnering with the nation’s leader! Get paid to collect gently worn, used and new shoes in a creative, community-friendly fundraiser. We provide everything you need at no cost to your group! It’s as easy as 1-2-3.” Jessica and her team gathered and donated 3,216 pounds of shoes! They were paid $.40 per pound and received a bonus for reaching a certain level.

Not only does the shoe fundraiser raise money for your cause, explained Dena, but the collected shoes are sent to developing countries where they are used to create job opportunities.

"A shoe drive is a great way to raise funds without asking the community for money," said Dena. “I just keep thinking about all the organizations in Okeechobee that could benefit from fundraising like this.”