November 20, 2009

I just wanted to update everyone interested what is happening with the shoe drive.  The Great American Smokeout collected 1,200 pairs of shoes for their 'Soles for Souls' campaign.  Upon completion they intended to donate to folks in need.  When they heard about our cause they donated all 1,200 shoes to the Nick Diatta's Shoes for Senegal to get us off to a wonderful start. 

We have no idea what to expect, but when I got to work this morning there were 20 pairs of shoes in front of my door!  I am thinking somewhere between 2,000 and 2,500 pairs of shoes might be a good goal now.  We will see.

I want to thank the South Plains College community for getting behind this effort.  Cathy Mitchell has volunteered her office as a drop-off point for the Reese campus.  Delma Salinas is collecting at the Lubbock campus and Lynda Reid will be taking collections at the remainder of the performances of the Fine Arts department.

From what I hear, countless others are getting involved as well.  We thank you all for your support.  This is going to be a lot of fun!


If you would like to donate shoes for this cause, please bring them to the front of the Texan Dome or contact Joe Walker at awalker@southplainscollege.edu, or by phone at 806-559-3032.

Mitch Word of the Levelland News Press is working on setting up a donation center to help fund the shipping of the shoes.  If you are interested in contributing financially, please contact Mitch at:  levellandsports@valornet.com or by phone:  806-894-3121

Current Drop off Locations:
*Front entrance of the Texan Dome
*Joe Walker's office on the West side of the Dome next to the racquetball courts.
*Cathy Mitchell's office at the Reese Center, Building 8 Room 807
*Levelland News-Press - 711 Austin, Levelland
Additional Drop off points will be added.



SPC and the News-Press Helping Texan Basketball Player Organize Shoe Drive

November 19, 2009

The South Plains College athletic department and the Levelland News Press is helping Nick Diatta, a freshman post for the SPC Texan basketball team and a native of Dakar, Senegal, organize a shoe drive to benefit the people of Senegal.

Nick moved from Dakar to Florida so he could attend school and play basketball for Montverde Academy High School. Upon arriving at Montverde he was amazed as to how many pairs of shoes members of the team would go through during a season and decided to organize a drive, eventually sending over 1,000 pairs of shoes back to his native country.

Now that Nick is at South Plains College he is committed to organizing another drive and South Plains College is ready to help!

Drop off locations are currently being housed in the Texan Dome on the Levelland campus as well as Cathy Mitchell's office at the Reese campus, building 8 room 807. Additional drop off points will be added. Please contact Joe Walker at awalker@southplainscollege.edu, or Mitch Word of the Levelland News Press at levellandsports@valornet.com for additional details.

Please check www.spctexans.com for the latest news concerning this drive.