Seven years ago, Hurrican Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.

Around that same time, Saint Marys resident Albert Assalone had hip surgery which would eventually land him in a wheel chair.

It was then he realized his days of physically being able to help people would be limited, so he came up with another way.

"I wanted to have a sneaker drive, and I figured about the sneakers because I figured a lot of people need footwear, especially for activities like football and stuff. You know, mostly teenagers and young people," said Assalone.

Since that horrific storm, the sneaker drive has become an annual thing, however this year it's going to benefit victims from Superstorm Sandy, which tore up the Jersey Shore last fall.

"This hurricane was a little worse then Katrina was," he added. "They [Jersey Shore residents] lost more properties and homes and everything."

People can drop off new or used sneakers to the Resale Shop or the Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Saint Marys.

So far, this sneaker drive has been going on since January 19, and he has already collected 16 pairs of sneakers. However, when the drive ends in spring, and the shoes are taken to New Jersey in May, he hopes that he has plenty more foot apparel to give to those who lost their homes, clothes, and maybe even their faith when the flood waters washed away parts of the east coast.