Summit deputies donate seized shoes to Children Services

Dozens of new athletic shoes are making their way from the hands of drug dealers to the feet of people in need.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office on Monday delivered 48 pairs of pricey athletic shoes to the Children Services Board. The shoes will be distributed to registered clients through the agency’s Clothing Center program.

The high-end sneakers were among myriad items law enforcement seized from three men who were convicted in February of trafficking heroin.

Common Pleas Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands also ordered that $11,500 in seized cash be forfeited to enforcement funds of county drug agents and prosecutors.

Other items forfeited from the drug dealers include a Bulova watch, Louis Vuitton sunglasses, smartphones, gift cards and electronics ranging from wide-screen TVs to video games to computers.

But it’s the boxes and bags of athletic shoes that sheriff’s deputies are sharing immediately. What wasn’t given to CSB will be given to other charities.

Chris Vasco, a spokesman for Summit County Children Services, said the need for items by its Clothing Center is always present. He said donations of men’s clothing are most needed.

“This is really well-received,” Vasco said as the shoes arrived Monday. “We’re really appreciative.”

The Clothing Center, located with CSB offices at 264 S. Arlington St. in Akron, is open for donations of new or gently used clothing items from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays.

Items also may be deposited in the large blue bin outside CSB’s offices.

Only registered clients of CSB are eligible to receive the clothing items.

For more information, call 330-379-1822.