Clewiston, Fla. – Jan. 16, 2017 – U.S. Sugar and its employees brought back Laces of Love for the second year, donating more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to local students.

During a shoe drive in December, employees contributed more than 520 pairs of new shoes, which were matched by the company. The shoes will be purchased from local businesses, including Hibbett Sports and Bealls Outlet, and given to students in Hendry and Glades counties.

Because of the great success of the 2015 Laces of Love shoe drive, U.S. Sugar President and CEO Bob Buker wanted to bring back program and looks forward to seeing the company participate again next year.

As motivation to encourage competition among the company departments, this year U.S. Sugar offered a trophy and a year’s worth of bragging rights to the department that brought in the most shoes. The winning department was Sugarcane Operations and Railroad, headed by Senior Vice President Ken McDuffie. Between the sugarcane operations and railroad division, nearly 200 pairs of new shoes were donated.

The Laces of Love Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization that provides new shoes to low-income and disadvantaged children and educates the public about the needs of these children.

Since its incorporation in 2005, Laces of Love has provided more than 30,000 pairs of new shoes to needy kids in Southwest Florida.

Photo above, U.S. Sugar President and CEO Bob Buker, center, and school officials stand with some of the 1,000 pairs of shoes donated by U.S. Sugar and its employees.