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Collect Shoes.
During its 2006 drive, Shoes for Orphan Souls collected more than 125,000 pairs of shoes that were distributed to orphans and at-risk children in 55 countries. These were shoes that helped children like Jana continue going to school, playing sports and just be a kid. We are changing lives of children every day by collecting shoes and sending them to children in need. How do we do it? By teaming up with individuals, churches and organizations in all 50 states who serve as donors, collection points and promoters for the drive. We’re teaming with churches like South Main Baptist Church in Houston, which collected more than 10,000 pairs of shoes for international orphans, an effort that mirrors the Shoes for Orphan Souls growth itself, Hill said. “Just like the Buckner project has grown, our shoe drive has gained momentum each year,” said member Henry Hill, who also is an emeritus trustee for Buckner. “It’s been terrific, and there’s been lots of participation from everyone in the church -- not only in purchasing shoes but in sorting, packing and loading in the final days.” We’re teaming with organizations like Rotary International, which has consistently been our strongest individual shoe-raising collaborator, and with Christian radio stations, which have used their influence to boost both shoes and our message for children into a truly national campaign. We’re also delivering shoes to some of the most needy places on the globe. About 12,000 pairs of shoes donated through the Shoes for Orphan Souls drive were distributed in December to children in the war-torn regions of Beslan, Russia and Grozny, Chechnya by Russian Ministries, a Christian group that collaborates with Buckner for ministry. The shoes were part of a larger evangelistic effort by Russian Ministries to reach children and their families in the mostly Muslim-populated areas with the message of Christ. Beslan is the site of the Sept. 1, 2004 terrorist attack on School No. 1, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of children and parents on the first day of the school year. Orphan and low-income children in Beslan received many of the donated shoes, which Vladimir Pliev, a deacon for Transfiguration Church there, said “provided a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with thousands of children from all of the daycare centers, preschools, schools and orphanages in the entire Beslan County.” Pliev said the shoes were gratefully received, and the effort opened doors for more ministry in the region. “The most touching and emotional meetings,” said Pliev, “took place while we were distributing shoes on behalf of our loving brothers and sisters in the U.S. to those whose destiny was changed as a result of the terror attack at School No. 1 when the evil hand of terrorists took the lives of many parents, brothers, sisters and friends.” Gannady Terkun, a pastor and Russian Ministries’ regional director in Vladikavkaz, said the group distributed 12,000 pairs of shoes and socks to 28 schools, daycares and internats (boarding schools, which include orphanages) near Grozny, Chechnya, an active war zone. He said the humanitarian aid went to “thousands of children who have seen nothing except blood and violence during the past number of years.” “After their children received shoes,” Terkun said, “many mothers came to us and tearfully hugged and kissed us as they thanked us for the shoes and repeatedly asked whether they were really a free gift.” 2006: The Numbers
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 Shoes for Orphan Souls, a ministry of Buckner, is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. |
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“Thank you,” read the note from the girl, who lives in a Latvian orphanage. "My name is Jana. I am 10. My favorite subject at school is sports. I also like music because I like to sing. I really like the sneakers you sent me. I play tennis with them, and I won first place in our school! I was so happy to win in my new shoes."