A Girl Scout project received a ton of support from the Tamaqua area community.

Alyssa Porambo collected shoes and sneakers for the Silver Award project. She started in the spring and ended on July 1.

Her goal was to collect 250 pairs of shoes, but she didn’t just hit that number. She crushed it.

“My aunt gave me this idea and I was motivated to see unwanted shoes be put to good use,” Porambo said.

St. Jerome Regional School supported the project and helped collect shoes for two weeks, said Alyssa’s mother, Andrea. The result of the SJRS shoe drive was 1,784 pairs of shoes.

Between a few additional drop locations around Tamaqua and Coaldale, Alyssa finished her project with 2,400 pairs of shoes and 80 single shoes.

And counting.

Although the project has ended, locals are still donating. Alyssa has 120 large bags of shoes to transport to a church in Lewisburg, which is a part of the Soles4Souls program that will give those local shoes to feet-in-need.

“I’m so happy that my project will benefit the lives of many people throughout the world,” Alyssa said. “Thanks to everyone who supported me.”

Alyssa graduated from St. Jerome and will attend Marian Catholic High School in the fall.