The Ballard House is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser from June 22 to August 25 to raise funds for the organization, which provides temporary lodging at no cost for patients traveling to the Houston area for medical treatment of life-threatening illnesses.

Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at The Ballard House 21421 Cinco Park Road, Katy, just off South Mason Road.

The Ballard House will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes.

By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to The Ballard House, the shoes will be given a second chance and will make a difference in people’s lives around the world, organizers said.

All donated shoes will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school, a spokesperson for The Ballard House said.

"We are excited about our shoe drive," said Christi Ghiz, outreach coordinator for The Ballard House. "We know that most people have extra shoes under their beds or in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for our residents, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It's a win-win for everyone.”