By David Abel, Globe Staff  |  December 13, 2006

After criticism about the expense of his five-day inauguration, Governor-elect Deval Patrick asked partygoers in Worcester and Boston yesterday to bring new socks and new or "gently used" shoes and boots for needy children.

Organizers said they hope the drive will deliver several thousand pairs of shoes and boots to homeless and low-income children across the state. Lynn Margherio, -- chief executive of Cradles to Crayons, a Quincy-based nonprofit that is helping organize the drive -- asked donors to bring shoes and socks that "you would be glad to receive as a gift for your child."

"It's critical that they are new or in very good condition," she said. "No stains, no tears, not stretched out of shape, not missing pieces, and not looking like it's been worn."

Cyndi Roy, a spokeswoman for the Patrick transition and inaugural, said the announcement was not an effort to deflect criticism about the January festivities. The inaugural events are expected to cost in excess of $1 million, raised in part with donations of up to $50,000 by corporations and other interest groups.

"This is a way for citizens to give back to those who are in need," she said of the effort to collect donated shoes.

The transition team also announced a schedule of inaugural events.

An event for hundreds of high school students from around the state is being planned on Jan. 4 at Tremont Temple in Boston. The students will join Patrick for "a conversation on the importance of civic engagement and leadership and the future of Massachusetts," according to a news release from the transition team, which added that students would be selected by schools.

"We are hopeful that this celebration will serve as a call to lasting civic engagement," said Beverly Morgan-Welch, one of the inaugural's organizers.

The inaugural festivities will also include seven events open to the public. Plans include a Worcester event on Jan. 3, the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural celebration in Boston on Jan. 4, a Merrimack Valley-North Shore event on Jan. 5, events in Pittsfield and Springfield on Jan. 6, and more events on Cape Cod and in Fall River and New Bedford on Jan. 7.

Local committees meeting this week will determine their event's location and theme and organize a "civic engagement or community-building activity in celebration of the inauguration," according to the transition team. The events will occur at different times of day and are expected to attract some 40,000 people.

Organizers asked that the children's sneakers, boots, and socks be brought to the Jan. 3 event in Worcester and the Jan. 4 gala in Boston, which will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

According to the Associated Press, Patrick yesterday rebuffed criticism of his elaborate inaugural, saying it was meant to include people from all walks of life, from all over the state.

"It is about inviting people from all across the commonwealth . . . regular people, and making a way for them to participate in an historic occurrence," said Patrick, who on Jan. 4 will become the state's first black governor, only the second elected in the country.

Tickets and more details about the inaugural are available at jan4th.org.