After months of anticipation, Shoes for Orphan Souls reached its goal of collecting 2million shoes during its 10th anniversary year.
It’s an accomplishment director Rachel Garton says is, “huge! Two million pairs of shoes means two million children’s lives will be changed. It means two million children will feel what it’s like to be known and loved, and to feel special.”
The two millionth shoe donation came in Sept. 1 from Crocs, who partners with the Global Aid Network (GAiN) to distribute shoes to needy children and families around the world. The company sent 60,000 brightly colored-shoes in six 18-wheeler trucks to the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid in Dallas.
Buckner and GAiN have partnered together to collect and distribute shoes and other humanitarian aid for several years.
The shoes will be delivered during an early September shoe distribution trip to Vietnam, a country where floods and poverty prevent most children from owning a pair of shoes. Many children in Vietnam suffer from diseases that could be prevented with shoes. It is the first Buckner trip to the country.
“We couldn’t do anything without the help of our shoe drive coordinators and donors,” Garton said. “I have been overwhelmed with the number of people who are willing to step up and do something, like host a shoe drive, to help children they may never meet. It’s so encouraging to see the hearts of others.”
Shoes for Orphan Souls has been collecting new shoes since 1999 and has shipped shoes to more than 65 countries around the world. – Jenny Pope
Now that we’ve reached our 2 million goal, we need your help to reach the next 2 million children around the world. Sign up today to host a shoe drive in your community or church and we’ll send you everything you need to make it a success.
Call us at 1-866-774-SHOE or visit www.ShoesforOrphanSouls.org today.
