Tri-City Hospital holding shoe drive for National Shoe the World Day

In conjunction with National Shoe the World Day on March 15, Tri-City Hospital Foundation is calling upon local businesses and residents to donate new shoes and socks to help those in need. Donations are being accepted now through March 15 in donation bins in the main lobbies of Tri-City Medical Center at 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside and Tri-City Wellness Center at 6250 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. Volunteers will be on-hand on March 15 to accept drive-up donations at the front entrance of Tri-City Medical Center.

This is Tri-City Hospital Foundation’s second shoe drive, with plans to continue to hold the event annually to ensure the safety of all discharged patients. The event was inspired by the actions of Tri-City Medical Center nurse Imelda Browning, who gave a patient the shoes off her own feet to ensure the patient could be safely discharged from the hospital. The Tri-City Hospital Foundation New Socks and Shoe Drive is being sponsored this year by Sfeir Architects.

Tri-City Medical Center holds itself responsible for every patient’s safety and will not release patients without proper foot protection. Often patients come to the hospital in their pajamas or without proper footwear and frequently have no family member to bring them a simple change of clothes when it is time for them to leave the hospital. The collection drive builds an inventory of new shoes and socks that can be distributed to patients in need throughout the year. Cash donations are also welcome online at www.tricityhospitalfoundation.org.

“Our community has generously funded sophisticated medical equipment and innovative programs but here is a simple yet equally critical necessity that anyone can contribute to,” said Glen Newhart, president of Tri-City Hospital Foundation. “It will make a direct and positive difference in the lives of patients in need in our local community.”