The 2025 "Tithe My Shoes" effort is underway on campus to collect 1,247 pairs of boots, sneakers and shoes throughout Oswego County through Dec. 10.
This includes collection boxes in the Marano Campus Center and Hewitt Hall at this time.
The footwear will be repaired and reconditioned before being delivered to the Rescue Mission in Syracuse. The shoes will then be distributed to various charities throughout New York state.
Mudd Murphy, former mayor of Central Square and presently executive director of the Oswego County Conference of Mayors, started the drive 11 years ago and coined it "Tithe My Shoes."
All shoes go to Ralph Rotella, owner of the Discount Shoe Repair Shop in Syracuse, for reprocessing. A few years ago, Rotella began collecting, cleaning and repairing used shoes in his spare time and donating them to the Rescue Mission for distribution. Rotella's idea and hard work refurbishing shoes to help people needing good, warm footwear inspired Murphy to start the shoe collection campaign in Oswego County to help broaden Rotella's goals.
Murphy's Dec. 10 date allows Rotella time to refurbish the shoes and deliver them to the Rescue Mission by Christmas. Last year, Rotella collected over 43,120 pairs of shoes, and keeps raising the bar every year.
Organizers said many people have asked if any of the footwear is recycled back into Oswego County; the answer is yes, as the Rescue Mission store at 57 East Bridge St. in Oswego will handle all local needs for shoes in the county.