Dubbing her effort, "Project Happy Toes," Burien resident Jeanene Laegreid is working to gather 600 pairs of shoes and socks for needy grade-schoolers and their younger siblings in the Highline School District.

The drive is directed at Madrona Elementary in SeaTac this year but Laegreid hopes to expand it to other schools.

Over 80 percent of Madrona students qualify for free or reduced meals. Many students come from Eastern European or African refugee families.

The students from warmer climates often have only flip-flops and no socks to wear to school, according to Laegreid. When it rains, their feet stay wet throughout the school day.

Some students come to school with their shoes held together by duct tape, she added.

Laegreid is looking for new shoes and socks in sizes from toddler through adult.

Local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will help Laegreid collect donations of shoes, socks or money at the Five Corners Albertson's supermarket on Friday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The supermarket is located at 15848 First Ave. S. in Burien.

"I encourage the Burien community to donate shoes, socks or dollars to help out these school kids," Laegreid said.

Her daughter Kelsea is helping to coordinate the project.

They will also be collecting donations during neighborhood Fourth of July festivities at Three Tree Point.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kennedy High School will support the project through the next school year.

Laegreid can be contacted at jlaegreid@aol.com.