1,000 Pairs of Shoes Are Needed
Won't You Please Help!

The Bangor Field Office of HUD has joined the Maine Lead Action Project, a statewide non-profit organization committed to eliminating childhood lead poisoning in Maine, in its drive to collect 1,000 pairs of used children's shoes to symbolize the 1,000 children diagnosed with lead poisoning each year in Maine.

The shoes will be displayed on the steps of the State Capitol in Augusta on October 15th at 10:00 AM, when Governor Baldacci will hold a press conference to highlight lead poisoning prevention activities in Maine. The shoes then will be donated to a local charity.

Those wishing to donate shoes can contact the Maine Lead Action Project at 871-7905, or the Bangor HUD office at 945-0467. People in the Bangor area can drop off shoes to HUD in Room 101 of the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building and Post Office at 202 Harlow St., Bangor. HUD will bring all shoes collected to the press conference.

This media event will heighten understanding of the lead poisoning problem in Maine, and encourage homeowners, landlords, and contractors to utilize lead-safe work practices that help protect Maine's children from the dangers of lead-based paint.

Lead poisoning is Maine's number one childhood health problem. Most lead poisoning in children is a result of contact with lead dust created when old lead-based paint cracks, peels, or is subject to friction from opening and closing windows, doors, or drawers. Lead-based paint was commonly used in homes prior to 1978, when it was outlawed. 60 percent of the homes in Maine were built prior to 1978, and most of those homes still contain lead-based paint.

For more information about the dangers of lead-based paint, please visit the HUD Healthy Home website.

Content Archived: March 21, 2011