Members of the Cedar Park and Leander community donated more than 250 pairs of new athletic shoes for students July 28.

Hill Country Community Ministries hosted Battle of the Mascots-Stuff the Truck on Saturday, which collected shoes for students at the district's six high schools. The event was sponsored by Cedar Park Nissan.

Cedar Park Nissan's General Manager Jim Wilkinson said he enjoyed attending the event

"It was well-attended, and [the students'] team spirit was awesome," he said.

The event was a kickoff for the nonprofit's Laces for Leander campaign, which starts in August. People can donate a pair of new athletic shoes—size youth 12 to adult 12 for both boys and girls—that will go to a student in the district who is on the free and reduced lunch program. People from the nonprofit also visit with school counselors to help students who are failing PE because they do not have proper shoes.

People can bring shoes to Hill Country Community Ministries, 1005 Lacy Drive, Leander, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations should not be left on the porch.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.hccm.org.