RESERVE — The Riverside Academy Swim Team is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser throughout the early part of the school year to raise funds for the State Swim Meet and equipment.

The swim team earns money based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes.

Those dollars will benefit travel expenses and swim bags for the state swim meet in Sulfur, which takes place in November.

Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at Riverside Academy home football games and at Hymel’s Florist.

All donated shoes are redistributed, as Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited, school officials said.

Head swim coach Emily Laurent said team members are excited about the shoe drive.

“We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us,” she said. “By doing so, we raise money for much needed equipment to help us improve in the pool, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The Riverside Academy Swim team is open to students in fifth grade through 12th grade, and Laurent said the school’s goal is developing student athletes who are a credit to society. For more information, email Riversideacademyswimming@gmail.com.

Hymel’s Florist, located at 299 Belle Terre Blvd., Suite A in LaPlace, is open Monday through Saturday.

Riverside Academy is located at 332 Railroad Ave. in Reserve.