"I just wanted to do a project that would help a lot of people," said Vishank Battar.
Helping a lot of people is one of the ways Vishank hopes to make Eagle Scout. When he started, he hoped to collect 400 pairs of shoes.
Eagle Scout candidate Vishank Battar loading nearly 1500 pairs of shoes collected for the needy. On ABC7 News at 5. pic.twitter.com/Inj9gIFyEf
— Eric Thomas (@ericthomaskgo) December 26, 2016
Things started out a little slow, so he passed out flyers at school and in the neighborhood. That's when donations really started flying in.
"All the shoes in total added up to 1,424 pairs of shoes," Battar said.
The shoes are going to the charitable organization Soles4Souls to be handed out in all 50 states.
Battar packed up all the shoes for Tuesday's drive at a warehouse in Fullerton in Southern California.
Battar's leadership skills will help him stand on his own two feet when he goes off to study at Purdue next fall to major in engineering.
Lashing down the boxes of shoes before the long drive to So Cal. pic.twitter.com/AbG1uvXneA
— Eric Thomas (@ericthomaskgo) December 26, 2016
Here in the US, one of out five children lives in poverty. ▶️Press play to see how we help those in need right here in our own backyard! pic.twitter.com/sc91I4tFTd
— Soles4Souls (@Soles4Souls) December 20, 2016
Our biggest joy is seeing a smile on their face after receiving a new pair of shoes. pic.twitter.com/j5sJEl61SI
— Soles4Souls (@Soles4Souls) December 20, 2016
Read the latest from our President and CEO on our blog here: https://t.co/CposCmJHoa pic.twitter.com/oH8YbqG5bo
— Soles4Souls (@Soles4Souls) December 21, 2016