In the month of August & September, Dennis Realty Cares collected shoes to support the Shoes for Scholarships drive through P.E.O. International.  P.E.O. International, founded in 1869, is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.

The shoe drive was chaired by Julie Rice, who is a third-generation member of P.E.O International.  Julie shared that the organization has evolved since her grandmother was a member.  “I remember when my grandfather would refer to the ladies of P.E.O in white gloves having tea, as the do-gooders.”

That hasn’t changed today.  P.E.O. maintains six philanthropies that include ownership of the all-women’s college, Cottey College, and 5 projects that provide assistance for higher education.  What started as a small group of 7 women, has grown to help more than 122,000 women pursue educational goals, providing nearly $415 million in awards. Thank you to everyone who contributed shoes to this worthwhile cause and special thanks to Julie Rice for putting it together!