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Coastal Connections: Ocean Pines residents step up to help the world—one pair of shoes at a time

Kevin Zipay
Kevin Zipay
Reporter

Kevin joined the CoastTV News team in November 2023 as a video journalist. He is a Rowan University graduate with a degree in radio television and film and a minor in sports communications. While at Rowan, Kevin worked at the campus television station, RTN, and was also a member of the Rowan radio station, 89.7 WGLS-FM.

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May 1, 2025
May 1, 2025 Updated May 2, 2025

Shoes 1 — What began as a group of friends walking their Ocean Pines neighborhood has evolved into making a global impact—one shoe at a time.

What began as a group of friends walking their Ocean Pines neighborhood has evolved into making a global impact—one shoe at a time.

This Coastal Connection is sponsored by Baths by Spicer Bros.

OCEAN PINES, Md. - What began as a group of friends walking their Ocean Pines neighborhood has evolved into making a global impact—one shoe at a time.

The Teal Bay Mitzvah Team, led by resident Margit Novack, is collecting gently used shoes to help those in need through a partnership with the nonprofit organization Soles4Souls. Since March, the team has collected and shipped about 150 pairs of shoes to the organization, which distributes them both in the U.S. and internationally.

Shoes 2 — The Teal Bay Mitzvah Team.

The Teal Bay Mitzvah Team.

“Think so far we've shipped out about 150 pairs in total,” Novack said.

The shoes go to people facing economic hardship, including micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries who sell the footwear to earn a sustainable income. Soles4Souls also provides shoes to those impacted by natural disasters and poverty across the United States.

Shoes 3 — “They go to third-world countries where small micro-entrepreneurs receive them and set up businesses to sell them,” Novack said.

“They go to third-world countries where small micro-entrepreneurs receive them and set up businesses to sell them,” Novack said.

“They go to third-world countries where small micro-entrepreneurs receive them and set up businesses to sell them,” Novack said. “And these people now have a sustainable income. They go to crisis areas, many in the United States.”

Residents looking to participate can find donation boxes placed throughout Ocean Pines. Drop-off locations include the Ocean Pines Library, Community Center, Racquet Center, and Sports Core Pool. Once collected, the Mitzvah Team sorts, packs, and delivers the shoes to a local Michaels store, which helps route them to Soles4Souls distribution centers.

Shoes 4 — Residents looking to participate can find donation boxes placed throughout Ocean Pines.

Residents looking to participate can find donation boxes placed throughout Ocean Pines.

Novack said the community’s response has been uplifting.

“They can all play a role. They can all help by dropping off their shoes,” she said. “We’re getting ready for the summer. It’s wonderful here. But we can live here and still make a difference in the world.”

The team will also be accepting shoe donations at the Ocean Pines Season Kickoff event on May 17, where they hope to spread awareness and collect even more shoes for the cause.

Kevin Zipay

Reporter

Kevin joined the CoastTV News team in November 2023 as a video journalist. He is a Rowan University graduate with a degree in radio television and film and a minor in sports communications. While at Rowan, Kevin worked at the campus television station, RTN, and was also a member of the Rowan radio station, 89.7 WGLS-FM.