The Desperados, a community baseball team, is conducting a shoe drive for developing countries, to help raise funds for an upcoming tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on June 21-27. 

“I didn’t think of all this when it started, it was just an idea,” O’Brien, who started the drive, said. “It has helped us raise money, which is good for us, but [it also] helps people in other countries who might not have an opportunity to create a business – to create an income.”

The Desperados is an AAA 13 club baseball team based in Lewisville. They have been selected to participate in the Youth Baseball Organization’s tournament in Myrtle Beach this summer. Head coach Joshua Briscoe has been coaching the team since 2022 and said this opportunity is important because it allows the team to play against teams all around the country. 

“It’s important to learn how to handle both the responsibilities of being an athlete and the responsibilities of making sure you have everything you need,” Briscoe said. “[The fundraiser] will help make the event accessible to the full team, not just the ones that are more financially well-off.”

To make the cost lower for each family, the team is working with Funds2go for the shoe drive. The criteria for the shoes is that they’re gently used, have no mold or holes and can’t be skates. The team has collected over 2,500 pairs of shoes so far. 

“We will be traveling to [other] locations to help showcase their talent in front of college coaches,” Briscoe said. “This [trip] will allow [the players] to experience that without the pressure of a scholarship on the line. In return, it should help them be more confident when that time comes.”

The deadline to donate shoes to the team is April 10. O’Brien said the goal is not only to raise enough money for every member, but to also support small businesses. 

“The initial goal was at least 2,500 pairs of shoes because that’s $1,000, but the more we collect, the more money we make,” O’Brien said. “The other thing is the shoes are getting recycled, [so] they’re not getting thrown away – they’re getting used somewhere else.”