October 2, 2000
Shoes for Orphan Souls tops 50,000 pairs
___By Scott Collins
___Buckner News Service
___DALLAS--More than 50,000 brand-new pairs of shoes are on the way to orphan children in Russia, Romania, China and Mexico thanks to the generosity of thousands of people across Texas and beyond.
___Officials with Dallas-based Buckner Orphan Care International announced they have reached their goal of collecting 50,000 pairs of shoes du
A SIGN OF SUCCESS is shown by Mika Danford (left) and Delane DeVine of First Baptist Church in Texas City. With enthusiastic promotion, they helped their congregation raise more than its goal of 3,000 pairs of shoes for the Shoes for Orphan Soul drive. Volunteers like these contributed to the record-breaking collection of 50,000 pairs of shoes for the mission project.
ring the month of August. In addition to the shoes, more than 50,000 pairs of new socks also are being sent to the orphanages, according to Tiffany Taylor, director of Shoes for Orphan Souls.
See a list of medical supplies urgently needed for Shoes for Orphan Souls
___"We are amazed nearly beyond belief at the kindness of so many people who recognized the need of these children and have responded," Taylor said. "We really believe the response to this effort is a true blessing from God."
___This year's Shoes for Orphan Souls drive surpassed 1999's record of 20,000 pairs of shoes collected and delivered by Buckner. Prior to 1999, the most collected was 5,000.
___Taylor said the key to the drive's success has been the willingness and dedication of individuals and churches to join the project. This year, nearly 300 churches in 28 states collected shoes and socks.
___Buckner officials also praised the readers of the Baptist Standard. More than 600 Standard readers responded directly to the project with financial gifts. In addition, Buckner officials credited readers with taking responsibility for leading their local churches to collect shoes.
___Macerich Corp., a California-based company that owns and operates malls throughout the country, also played a vital role in the campaign, according to Taylor. Macerich-owned properties in five states donated space and marketing to the drive.
___"The partnerships we have with so many wonderful people, organizations and businesses make the difference," Taylor said. "The blessing for Buckner and ultimately for the orphan children is that so many people believe in what we're doing.
___"For me, the greatest joy is to realize that every one pair of shoes makes a tremendous difference in the life of the child who receives that pair of shoes. What we often take for granted may well be the greatest blessing in the life of that particular child."
___During October and November, teams of volunteers will join Buckner Orphan Care International to deliver the shoes to the orphan children. Taylor said volunteers will visit the orphanages and place a new pair of shoes and socks on the feet of each child. Teams will be traveling to China, Russia and Romania. Shoes will be delivered to orphanages in Mexico later this year, she said.
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