Places To Donate Orthopedic Shoes

Hi everyone. The subject of where to donate used orthopedic shoes recently came up. It’s time for an update. Thank you, Robert! Ranging from helping a veteran to cleaning our planet, there are a variety of nonprofits available to assist you. Here are some places to donate orthopedic shoes:


From their website: “Turning shoes and clothes donations into a micro-enterprise model while providing low-income entrepreneurs a way to lift themselves out of poverty.”

Every shoe you donate to this Nashville-based nonprofit is sold to provide funds for education, housing, and other needs for those living in poverty. One shoe equals one dollar.

Operated worldwide in partnership with Zappos. Click on the below link to be taken to their website.


Taken from their Gripping Blog: ‘Tips and Kicks From Shoes For Crews’
“Here’s some helpful information about some of the largest shoe donation organizations in the U.S. so you can decide where you’ll be sending your old footwear:”

Some organizations include Shoeman Water Projects (operating in Kenya, Haiti and South America), Old Word Running (Boulder, CO-based), Donate Your Old Shoes, The Shoe Bank (Dallas, TX-based), and Green Sneakers (run by Crown Ministry Group) – helps reduce landfill by recycling shoes.

I understand that the Shoe Bank in Dallas, TX has closed since the Gripping Blog post was written. Management is working on new directions.

For more information about donating your orthopedic shoes, visit:

For more information about their company, visit:

The Canadian Shoe Charity

From their website: “Our mission is to ensure that all Canadians have access to a decent pair of shoes.
Shoe Bank Canada collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need across Canada through food banks and other social agencies in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs.”

This nonprofit collects gently used shoes of all types and sizes – including orthopedic shoes. They make it as convenient as possible for all donors.

Visit their website or Facebook page for more information.

This is an online site that helps you find the appropriate nonprofit places to donate your orthopedic shoes. They even pickup!

Charities they deal with include: Vietnam Veterans of America, Habitat for Humanity, Human Society, and many more.

Visit their website for more information:


The Y’s mission statement taken from their website: “The YMCA is dedicated to strengthening the foundation of community. It is about the coming together of community spirit.”

Since every YMCA differs, I am offering this as a recommendation due to my local branch being involved with used shoe donations. There is a collection bin conveniently located by the front entrance.

Shoes are collected, shipped to the involved nonprofit, and sold. Funds are used to plant trees, start micro-enterprises, and other appropriate ventures.

Shoe collection bins seem to be rotated among various nonprofits. Shoes have been collected and shipped to overseas nonprofits who in turn provide footwear to those in need.

I recommend contacting your local YMCA for further information.

That’s about it for now. The next time you outwear a pair of orthopedic shoes, remember the less fortunate. Stop throwing your shoes out and put them to good use. Someone, somewhere will benefit from your generousity.

Thank you and Good luck!

Do you have any more recommendations you want to share with our readers? Feel free to contact me.

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Shoe Lifts: Little Known Benefits


I previously wrote about being grateful for my 1.5 inch shoe lift. And..seeing that the post received such positive feedback, I thought I’d talk about it again. Enjoy!

Some may think that wearing shoe lifts is a hindrance. After all, not everyone wears one and the wearer could be on the receiving end of some strange looks. I know since I have been wearing a noticeable external lift for 42 years. I am still sensitive to the strange looks I sometimes get.

Part of my recuperation from my tkr includes having to adjust my shoe lift thicknesss. That is a process I hope none of you have to go through. Anyways, that is why I have figured out reasons to be grateful for wearing these beneficial orthotics.

Puddle Conquering. Depending upon the thickness of a shoe lift, puddles can easily be walked through. Your shoe will not get wet, unlike your regular shoe. This statement applies to shallow streams, also. Your feet will stay dry.

Self Defense Tool. If someone starts to give the wearer a hard time, shoe lifts can be used to place a heavy kick to the groin. The extra weight will make for an extra punch.

This maneuver only applies if you can lift your leg high enough to get a good kick in, though. Your leg muscles may not be strong enough. If you have difficulties lifting your leg, give a good kick to the shins. Ouch!

Convenient Bug Squasher. The extra weight of shoe lifts can provide for an easy elimination of bugs that are otherwise hard to kill (such as immensely oversized cockroaches known as Palmetto bugs. Eww..!!).

All you need to do is get a quick whack! or stomp in and the little critter will be saved a lingering death. Plug your ears in case the critter has a hard shell. You do not want to hear the crunch..believe me. Be sure to apologize to them before the killing process, though. They usually do not mean any harm.

It Improves Mobility. Of course, the best reason for wearing a shoe lift is the fact that it improves your mobility. It balances out your musculoskeletal system and gait. As a walking aide, it makes getting around easier and less painful.

There’s nothing funny about this. Just a plain and simple, hard, cold fact. It has helped out tremendously since my total knee replacement.

Hoping this helps others going through the same thing. Do you have similar stories to share? Feel free to post your comments….


This site is owned and operated by Marie Buckner, a published author and tkr patient who has been living with various physical conditions for over 40+ years. She enjoys sharing her experiences to help others going through the same thing.

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How To Buy Off-the-Shelf Shoes For Orthopedic Uses

Hi everyone! As many of you already know, I wear an almost 2â€ shoe lift. Many women may marvel at the opportunity to purchase a new pair of shoes, but for me, it is something I put off until absolutely necessary. Why? As grateful as I am for being able to perform this needed task, it’s a royal pain in the patoot.

I thought it would be interesting to write down the steps I take to find that â€œperfectâ€ pair of shoes. Words do not do the process justice, but they will provide insight that will hopefully help some of you. So…here goes…Remember, these suggestions work for me and may not apply to your individual situation.

Shoe type decision. Will I buy a walking shoe ideal for flat surfaces? These are ideal for short jaunts to the gym, store, or other paved area. Or, will it be a pair of multi-purpose hiking boots that provide ankle support? These are perfect for those occasions when grass, gravel, sand, or other questionable surfaces come into play. Having one of these pairs available at all times covers all bases.

Budget. How much money can I spend on a pair? I have a range in mind when shopping for a pair and stick with it. In addition to the cost of the shoe, I must take into consideration the additional $60+ needed for a shoe lift.

Material. What type of material do I desire? Is it already waterproofed or do I need to add that? How much elasticity is there? This is where the side-twist maneuver comes in handy for walking shoes. If the shoe can easily be turned, it goes back on the shelf. It’s too flimsy for my blood. If it has a slight turn, it is a possibility.

Soles. Does the shoe have a sole that can be removed or altered by a shoe repair person? Is it relatively flat? Is it high quality? This is the area where many manufacturers fail, in my experienced opinion.

Construction. Is the shoe durable? How is the stitching? Is it precise or are there threads sticking out? What type of sole is there? Does the footbed offer security? Will it hold my foot upright after a shoe lift is added? Are there â€œbreathing holesâ€ that hinder durability?

Manufacturer. I know that generic brands are always emphasized for cost-saving purposes. I choose to purchase a name brand that has a strong reputation for excellence in craftsmanship, technological advances, and customer service.

Toe area. Is there ample room for my toes to stretch out? If the shoe narrows down from the foot bed to the toe area, it goes back on the shelf. If it appears to have ample room available, I try it on.

Fitting. This is the final step. If a shoe passes all of the above inspections, I try it on. This step can be a few seconds or few minutes. If it is difficult to put on, it goes back on the shelf. If I stand in it and feel discomfort, no go. When the shoe is comfortable to stand in, it is a possibility. I go for a short test walk. How does it feel? Does it bend easily when taking a step? Does it constrain my bones or allow comfortable movement? If satisfied, I wait a few minutes. Then, I go for another test walk.

P.S. Whenever engaged in the shoe buying process, I wear the appropriate socks.

That’s it for now. Hope this helps others going through the same thing. Find interesting? Kindly share..Thanks!


Exercise Feedback & TKR

Wanted to post a short message encouraging all who go through a tkr. I have been walking faithfully, everyday, for the past three months. It is approximately 3 miles round trip. Nothing fancy, just plain and simple walking. I say it’s plain and simple now that I can do it. We all know that’s not the case upon first recuperating from a total knee replacement. In fact, for 30 years I didn’t have a beneficial gait. Anyways…

The birds are chirping and singing their appealing songs. Yesterday a dear pranced across the road in front of me. A few days earlier I heard small childlike foot steps (or as Curly of the Three Stooges would say “I hear footprints”). As I kept walking, the sound was getting closer. I turned and saw a deer go into the woods on her merry way. 🙂

My tkr leg has a “normal” gait. It swings freely, like it has not done in 30 years (when I sustained the initial traumatic injury). My orthopedic shoes fit remarkably well and are unbelievably comfortable. I never thought I’d find such a comfortable pair of shoes and am just thrilled about it. It’s the simple things in life…like comfortable walking shoes. And….

I can fit into my smaller size jeans. 🙂 Plus, my eating habits have improved.

I partially attribute this success to listening to Tony Robbins. He’s cool..

Hope this helps others going through the same thing. TKR recuperation does get better.

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Leg Alignment & A TKR

After reading a couple of comments from readers regarding their leg alignment, I thought it would be a good idea to share something that’s been happening with me. My TKR was 2/2008. So…it’s been awhile.

Within the last month, sometimes when I stand up there is a loud clunking sound alongside my outer ankle on my tkr leg. I’ll walk for a bit and it still clicks. There is no pain whatsoever. I wonder if this has to do with my tkr?

And, I have noticed that my shoe is hitting my foot in different spots than before my tkr. Strange. For instance, my big toe is closer to the shoe’s side than before. Sometimes my middle toe will rub against the front of my shoe. That didn’t happen before.

These occurrences are more of a curiosity than anything. There is no pain. It just didn’t happen any time before my ability to start walking â€œnormallyâ€ after my tkr.


Found this piece interesting? Kindly share it with others….thanks..

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Finding The Right Shoe

While in the market for some new shoes (an unavoidable task, in my opinion.. 🙁 )…I came upon this informative article located on the WebMD site. I thought I’d share it with my readers. Enjoy! You can read the entire article at:

Foot problems: Finding the right shoes

Key points:
* Preventing a foot or toe problem from developing or getting worse.
* Preventing a toe joint problem from returning after corrective surgery.

Before shopping for shoes for your foot problem, ask your foot health professional for recommendations.

For some people, the only acceptable option is a sandal or athletic shoe that doesn’t rub on an existing bunion, callus or corn, or hammer, claw, or mallet toe. But most people will be able to find a shoe that causes little or no pain and allows them to function. Before shopping for new footwear, ask your foot health professional for recommendations specific to your needs.

Consider the following when shopping for footwear:

* Stand during the fitting process to get an accurate sense of the fit.
* Walk around the store to make sure that the shoe fit feels right.
* If a shoe feels right but isn’t your normal size, pay attention to how it feels. Ignore shoe size.
* You should not have to “break in” shoes if they fit properly.

When shopping for the right fit, look for:

* A wide and deep toe box (the area that surrounds the toes). There should be about 0.5in. of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. You should be able to wiggle your toes in your shoes.

* A flexible sole that allows your toes to bend as you walk.
* Shoes that breathe when your feet sweat. Avoid plastic or vinyl shoes.

At home:

* Go barefoot as much as possible (or just wear a sock) unless you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease or other conditions that decrease the feeling in your feet. People who have these conditions and have limited or no sensation in their feet are encouraged not to go barefoot because unnoticed injuries to their feet are more likely to become infected.