Starting in February, DECA teams all across Texas will collect closed-toed shoes and sneakers, adult sizes 4 to 10, for orphans as part of a service project called Shoes for Souls.

“I love being able to give back because those shoes go to people who aren’t able to have decent and nice shoes,” senior Aishwarya Noubad said. “The feeling when you give back is something I enjoy.”

While the statewide project is required for each DECA chapter, McNeil members have decided to open the project up to several clubs in the school, including National Honor Society.

“McNeil DECA thought this would be a great opportunity to team up with other clubs while helping the community,” junior Minha Ghani said.

DECA is doing more than just teaming up with other clubs; the club which donates the most money to buy shoes and/or the most pairs of shoes will win a $50 Visa gift card.

“I think it’s great how the project was just a little thing at first for DECA members, but now the word has spread and other people from other organizations can all come in and help,” junior Emily Wei said.

For those not in a club but want to participate, new or gently used shoes or money may be dropped off in A110 by Feb. 18.

“I love the opportunity to help someone who is not as fortunate as me,” sophomore Nikita Telang said.

Once all of the shoes are collected, DECA members will package and label the shoes to bring with them to their state competition. The shoes from all over the state will be given to Buckner International, which will send the shoes across the United States and around the world.

“The best part of this project is that we’ve been able to get so many people aware of this opportunity,”  junior Pranav Pradhan said. “Even if each person only gives one pair of shoes, 100 people involved would mean 100 pairs of new shoes for people less fortunate than us.”