Greg Shoemaker, executive administrator of Baldwin Bone & Joint, presents the first-place award check to school counselor Beth Ann Mills of Fairhope East Elementary School.

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DAPHNE — Baldwin Bone & Joint partnered with schools in Baldwin County and CityHope Church in Malbis to donate more than 1,000 pairs of shoes during its 18th Annual Many More Miles Campaign.

Hundreds of people in Baldwin and Mobile counties donated used shoes to this year's campaign, which also partnered with Dr. Glenn Glass, the University of South Alabama Student Recreation Center and McCoy Outdoors.

The campaign began in February and concluded with the first Many More Miles shoe distribution event held Saturday, March 26 at CityHope Church in Malbis.

Baldwin County students were challenged to collect shoes for area families in need while earning money for their schools' P.E. programs.

Each year, Baldwin Bone & Joint awards cash prizes to the top three participating schools who donate the most shoes. Fairhope East Elementary won the first-place cash prize of $500 for collecting 272 pairs of shoes; J Larry Newton Elementary took the $300 prize for second place; and Spanish Fort Elementary, was awarded $200 for third place. W.J. Carroll Intermediate also participated in this year's campaign.

In addition to the distribution event, CityHope Church Outreach Coordinator Genna VanVarden and her team continue to use these donated shoes to help other local programs.

"CityHope was honored to partner with Baldwin Bone & Joint in the distribution of shoes for their Many More Miles Campaign," VanVarden said. "We were able to serve families right here in Baldwin County that are in need the most during our event. In addition, the shoes that were collected have been provided to many local non-profit organizations that are serving our community, as well, including Fostering Together Gulf Coast, Waterfront Rescue Mission and Soles for Souls and the homeless community in Mobile."