SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Students at Spanish Fort High School are asking the community to open up their closets to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Not only can people feel good about giving to others, they are also promoting recycling. Two service clubs at SFHS are collecting shoes and formal wear to benefit others nationally and internationally. The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America are collecting donations of formal wear, jewelry, shoes and purses for “Emily’s Closet,” for those who may not have the funds.

The Interact Club chose to collect gently used shoes for their international service project. for Soles 4 Souls, an organization that promotes “changing the world one pair at a time.”

Emily’s Closet began in 2005 and was named after Emily Rose Parker, a young girl from Bay Minette who was killed in a car accident. Area girls who cannot afford formal wear are invited to pick out a prom dress and accessories free of charge.

“Every girl needs to have those occasions where she feels special. We want to be able to provide an opportunity so that any girl who wants to go to the prom can attend,” FCCLA sponsor Joni Ojard said.

Last year, Emily’s Closet had boutiques at several of the area high schools and gave away 160 dresses to girls who couldn't otherwise afford to go to the prom, Ojard said. Ojard is the family and consumer science teacher at SFHS and is also the sponsor for the FCCLA Club. She said in the spring the FCCLA will help the Heritage Junior Women’s Club of Bay Minette set up a boutique before the prom is held.

Items will be repaired and cleaned prior to the event and dressing rooms will be set up in the cafeteria. Advice will also be given on make-up and hairstyles. Donations from all over the county include dresses, shoes and accessories. Since this will be the first year that SFHS will hold its first prom this will be the first time it will also be a drop off location for donations.

“We could use some prom dresses, all sizes, gently worn and jewelry,” Ojana said. “It’s a great way to recycle.”

Any student who has been in any family consumer classes can be a member of FCCLA, Ojard said. The club consists of freshmen through senior students who meet once a month for the national service organization.

The Interact Club chose “Soles 4 Souls” because they can help others and recycle at the same time. The club has raised approximately 300 pairs of shoes that will go to “areas of need,” Tim Williamson said.

Williamson has been the club school sponsor ever since the high school opened and is also a teacher of gifted education.Team member Elizabeth McDonald brought the idea to the group after she had heard about a mission trip to Ecuador where shoes were delivered. Every year the club chooses a local service project and an international service project. The shoes will be mailed to a distribution center in Roanoke, Ala.

The last donation of shoes to the project went to the areas in California which were destroyed by wildfires. Williamson said the school has had an overwhelming response to the drive and boxes are filled to the brim. The club is now asking just for donations of money to help cover the shipping costs.

Soles 4 Souls recently shipped footwear to Guatemala and Mexico and to Alabama children in foster care.

If you need information about Emily’s Closet or Soles 4 Souls call SFHS at 251-626-7220.