Shoe Drive Held at The Arena for Compass for Hope

Local couple hosts donation event to help those in need get back on their feet.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A local couple in Augusta, Georgia organized a shoe drive at The Arena parking lot on Sunday to collect donations for Compass for Hope, a nonprofit that provides resources and support to people experiencing homelessness. The event was held in March, which is the birthday month of the wife of the couple who organized the drive.

Why it matters

Initiatives like this shoe drive help address the issue of homelessness in the local community by providing essential items and building relationships with those in need. Compass for Hope aims to be a catalyst for positive change by supporting individuals as they work to get off the streets.

The details

Volunteers were on hand at The Arena parking lot to distribute resources and collect shoe donations for Compass for Hope. The event coincided with the second leg of the Aiken Triple Crown and the start of horse racing season, as vendors were already setting up for the weekend festivities.

  • The shoe drive was held on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
  • The event took place in March, which is the birthday month of the wife of the couple who organized the drive.

The players

Leo Parsons

A local resident who, along with his wife, organized the shoe drive for Compass for Hope.

Mike Garrison

The executive director of Compass for Hope, a nonprofit that provides resources and support to people experiencing homelessness.

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What they’re saying

“We are just here to try and love them where they are. We want to be the catalyst for change. We want to build relationships over time so that when and if they want to make that change, make a decision to get off the streets, we hope that we can get to be a part of that.”

— Mike Garrison, Executive Director, Compass for Hope

What’s next

Compass for Hope is always looking for donations, and people can drop off items at businesses in the local area.

The takeaway

This shoe drive demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives to support those experiencing homelessness and provide them with essential resources and a path towards stability and independence.