BACONTON, Ga. (WALB) - When nearly 1 in 4 people in Mitchell County live below the poverty line, the ripple effects reach every classroom. But Baconton Community Charter School isn’t waiting for someone else to act.

First-year Middle School Principal LaJuana Smith recognized what many in her rural community know as well: when students lack necessities like shoes, staying focused on academics becomes an afterthought. Smith decided her school wouldn’t be passive.

A Simple Idea, Big Impact

Baconton Community Charter School launched a three-month shoe drive in partnership with Funds2orgs, a national organization that repurposes donated shoes for those in need both locally and globally.

“They really need these shoes,” Joshua Duncan, a middle school student, said. “Not everybody has the luxury to walk around on the sidewalks when it’s hot and cold outside. It makes me feel good because I’m helping people who need them.”

The fundraiser seeks Mitchell County residents to donate new or gently used shoes; Smith said local churches and businesses already received a letter in the mail for their support. The school collects donations, bags them up in groups, and sends them to Funds2Org. The organization pays the school per pound of shoes collected—and those funds go directly into the school’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) rewards program.

“We wanted to find a fundraiser that would also give our students an understanding of what it means to give back to the community,” Smith said.

Why This Matters for Mitchell County Children

In Mitchell County, where 23.8% (based on the United States Census Bureau) of the population lives in poverty, many families struggle to afford necessities. For students experiencing economic hardship, even something as simple as appropriate footwear can impact school attendance and engagement.

But Baconton’s approach is different. Leaders said it’s not charity. It’s community action that directly rewards students for their hard work and good behavior.

A Principal on a Mission

Smith brought 28 years of education experience when she started as principal this year. Her motto is straightforward: “Do something good and do it on purpose.”

“I want them to understand that in the real world, it’s about serving,” Smith said. “I want them to understand that giving can be so rewarding.”

Smith said every shoe collected is more than a donation. It’s a reminder that when a community comes together, even the smallest gestures can change a child’s reality—and teach them that they’re worth the effort.

As of now, the school has received about 10 bags of shoes. The school has a donation goal of 100 bags by the March 12, 2026, deadline.

To Donate: Contact Principal LaJuana Smith at (229) 787-9999 or drop off shoes at 271 East Walton Street, Baconton, Georgia.

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