Midshipmen Collect Shoes For Those in Need

Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy’s Midshipman Action Group (MAG) collected more than 550 pairs of shoes from the Class of 2018 May 18 to donate to Planet Aid.

Photo by MC2 Jonathan Correa

The shoes were collected as the plebes began the traditional Herndon monument climb that marks the end of their plebe year. Midshipmen from MAG gathered the shoes, tied the pairs together so they wouldn't get lost, and sorted them by size.

“This is just another great thing that MAG does to help out the community,” Midshipman 3rd Class William Kruger, 12th company and volunteer. “I donated because I felt like the people of Annapolis needed them more than I did. I am fortunate enough to get those shoes issued to me and I felt someone else could use them more than I could.”

Photo by MC2 Jonathan Correa

The midshipmen bagged the shoes and transferred them to a van to take them to the local Planet Aid chapter where they will be distributed to families in need.

“This is changing people’s lives,” said Marine Col. Bobbi Shea, deputy commandant of midshipmen. “Can you imagine needing something like this? My family did not come from a lot of means, and just to have resources like this changed the way a family feels about themselves. It’s really great, and I really appreciate it.”

Photo by MC2 Jonathan Correa

The Midshipman Action Group was established in 1992 and is supported by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. MAG organizes more than 50 educational, environmental and social service volunteer projects on the local and national level, employing more than 500 midshipmen throughout the academic year.

During the 2014-15 academic year, the midshipmen contributed 26,000 hours of community service.