Hundreds of shoes were left at Bloch Park Wednesday night as residents danced their shoes off — literally.

Dance Your Shoes Off, an event that originated in Houston, Texas, was held for the first time in Selma. Several area churches including Church Street United Methodist, First Baptist Church of Selma, Christ the King and Elkdale Baptist participated in the event.

All shoes donated went to either Soles4Souls or Pine Glen Ministries. Beverly Morgan, dance teacher for the event and member of First Baptist Church of Selma, said it was incredible to see the community turn out the way it did.

“It’s just a fabulous way for us to be able to minister to our community and reach those in need not only in Selma and Dallas County, but worldwide,” Morgan said, adding that more than 75 residents participated in the flash mob style event.

Standing in the middle of Bloch Park, residents performed a synchronized dance to a Christian song, “Rise Up.” After doing the dance, residents ran off the field, leaving their shoes behind.

“Our prayer is people who are out here just as spectators who may not know Jesus will come to know him through this,” Morgan said. “I think it’s just a powerful way to give back.”

Hannah Creech, also a member of First Baptist, said it was moving to participate in the dance.

“I think it’s just awesome to see the community come together like this,” Creech said. “It’s something that all the churches can do together and you don’t have that very often.”

Creech said she, along with several of her friends, practiced the dance each Sunday after church during the weeks leading up to the event. The dance, she said, is simple and something anyone can do.

“It’s just a few steps that keep repeating — it’s not hard at all,” she said.

Although Morgan didn’t have an exact number, she estimated that more than 200 pairs of shoes were donated during the event.

“People just brought bags and bags of shoes,” Morgan said. “I think this will definitely make a big impact.”