This fall, the Niskayuna Class of 2024 started a shoe drive to help benefit the Schenectady City Mission. Over 1,380 pairs of shoes, as well as a check of $500, were donated. I talked to the Class of 2024 president, Arya Dixit, about the donation process.
Aishani Misra: Why did you specifically choose to donate to the Schenectady City Mission? Were there other people who helped you make this decision?
Arya Dixit: The Schenectady City Mission was a great choice since it helps our community directly, especially during the winter season. A group of people and the class advisors (Ms. DeRocco and Mr. Eichfeld) helped make this decision. A lot of people helped make it happen.
AM: How did you feel after successfully donating 1,000+ pairs of shoes?
AD: We didn’t think we would hit 500, much less 1,000 pairs of shoes. It was very surprising, so it made me feel good.
AM: What is something you would like to see improved or changed?
AD: Mr. Eichfeld did a lot of the work, like packaging and bringing in more donations. Next time I would like to see more of us, students, doing the work.
AM: What was the hardest part of the donation process?
AD: The hardest part honestly had to be the day we were shipping the shoes out in a truck. We came really early in the morning to help. The bags are also way heavier than they look, it took a lot of effort hauling them to the truck and packaging them. Mr. Eichfeld really helped greatly in the donation process. The other class officers also really helped.
The school matched $1 for every 500 pairs of shoes. I think that the shoe drive was a great way to get the community involved and the donated shoes will really benefit people over this long winter.
Class of 2024 officers put the packaged shoes into the truck that will go out to the Schenectady City Mission. From left to right: Dominic Calareso, Lou Chicatelli, Aria Wetzel, Monica Cammarota, Claire Geskey, Gianna Deso, Arya Dixit, Natalie Zoo, Eni Elefontuyi, Hawa Equiza Gasco.
Photo Credits: Niskayuna Central School District Website