Cobbler expands holiday shoe, clothing collection

DETROIT (AP) - A cobbler at Detroit's Eastern Market is expanding his efforts to collect shoes and clothing for homeless during the holiday season. Moe Draper tells the Detroit Free Press that he'll accept donations starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday and continue through noon Christmas Day. Last year, at least $21,000 in donations came in for the "Saving Soles" collection effort. For this year's second annual collection, the newspaper reports that Draper is partnering with Planet Aid, which reuses and recycles donated clothing and shoes. The nonprofit will get what's left after Draper has given shoes and clothing to homeless people, donated to area churches and hand-delivered items to families. He says "when someone does something from their heart, that's a blessing to them." Moe Draper and his wife, Aziza, will be on hand to collect shoes and clothing, but donations have been rolling in throughout the year. Volunteers also are needed to help sort donations Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Drapers say they hope to open a second shoe-repair shop on the city's west side in 2015. Published: Tue, Dec 23, 2014