The Nature Coast Volunteer Center (NCVC) and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Citrus County recognizes 9/11 as a national day of voluntary service and acts of giving in memory of those who died and in honor of those who stepped forward to serve in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The Citrus County commission’s NCVC and the RSVP program are collecting new shoes and socks by sponsoring a drive for needy children beginning Aug. 8 through Sept. 9.

New tennis shoes are especially needed particularly children’s size 12 through adult sizes. The public is invited to participate in the remembrance of 9/11/2001 by donating new shoes and socks, or by sponsoring one pair of shoes by donating $25 to the Friends of the Nature Coast Volunteer Center, which will then purchase shoes for the drive. Checks may be mailed or delivered to the Nature Coast Volunteer Center, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Ct., Key #4, Lecanto, FL 34461.

The project goal is "Two Good Soles" and this year’s goal is to collect 3,000 pairs of new shoes and socks. Citrus County residents are urged to participate by bringing donations to one of the following drop off locations beginning Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Sept. 9:

• Lecanto Government Building, 3600 W. Sovereign Path, Lecanto, 34461
• New Citrus County Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness, 34450
• Citrus County Resource Center, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Ct., Lecanto, 34461
• Central Citrus Community Center, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Ct., Lecanto, 34461
• East Citrus Community Center, 9907 E. Gulf to Lake Hwy., Inverness, 34452
• Inverness Tax Collectors Office, 210 N. Apopka Ave. Suite 100, Inverness, 34450
• West Citrus Community Center, 8940 W. Veterans Dr., Homosassa, 34448
• Central Ridge Library, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills, 34465
• Coastal Region Library, 8619 W. Crystal St., Crystal River, 34428
• Crystal River Tax Collector’s Office, 801 SE Hwy 19, Crystal River, 34429
• Floral City Public Library, 8360 E. Orange Ave., Floral City, 34436
• Homosassa Public Library, 4100 S. Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa, 34446
• Lakes Region Library,1511 Druid Rd., Inverness, 34452

On Saturday, Aug. 13, volunteers will be stationed at the following department store locations to accept donations of new shoes and socks from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m.

• JC Penney Department Store, Crystal River Mall, 1801 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River, 34428
• Kmart Department Store, Crystal River Mall, 1801 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River, 34428
• Sears Department Store, Crystal River Mall, 1801 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River, 34428
• Payless Shoe Source, Crystal River Mall, 1801 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River, 34428
• Famous Footwear, Crystal River Mall, 1801 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River, 34428
• Wal-Mart Department Store, 2461 E. Gulf to Lake Hwy. Inverness, 34453

For more information, call 352-527-5950 or e-mail ncvc@bocc.citrus.fl.us.

The Citrus Abuse Shelter Association, District Student Services, Daystar Life Center, Citrus United Basket, Family Resource Center, the SPOT Family Center and the Path Shelter -- all of which are resources for children in need throughout Citrus County -- will be the benefitting agencies distributing the shoes.

The day of service is sponsored by RSVP of Citrus County, a program of the Nature Coast Volunteer Center, and the Friends of the Nature Coast Volunteer Center.