NOTE: Three Steps’ current drive will be taking place with collection boxes in the lobby at Waples Mill Elementary, running until Friday, 1/13/17.

Today the Oakton Outlook sat down with freshman Emma Wagner, the aspiring humanitarian behind the charity Three Steps. Wagner’s group, which works to collect shoes for impoverished people from Herndon to Honduras, is currently sponsoring a drive out of Waples Mills Elementary School, where our readers are encouraged to drop off a donation anytime before Friday.

Wagner’s organization has so far collected between 800 and 1,000 pairs of shoes between their various drives, but their current effort at Waples Mill will require help to expand that number. Three Steps hopes to remind people that hose 800+ pairs of shoes are serving over 800 people – people who otherwise would lack access to the most essential of clothing.

With those shoes, benefactors can embark on the three step journey that is at the root of this charity’s cause. By receiving the shoes; putting them to use at job interviews, work, or school; and using work or education to truly better their lives, the people impacted by Three Steps have so much to gain from such a small donation.

The organization is open to accepting new and gently used shoes of all kinds – cleats, flip-flops, Vans, and diamond slippers are all acceptable to the organization. According to Wagner, the only litmus test is that they can be lived in or run around in for a whole year.

The organization and its process are justifiably named for their Three Steps. This charity, however, relies on the help of everyday donors and a buildup of people’s small responsibility – one donation.

One step.

In the meantime, don’t wait to check out the Three Steps Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThreeSteps2016, and Wagner’s video interview above.