Share Your Soles

Share Your Soles, is a non-profit organization run out of Chicago, Illinois by Mona Purdy. In 1999, while on a trip to Guatemala she noticed children dipping their feet in sticky black tar. When she asked why, she was told that they put tar on the soles of their feet because they have no shoes. Barefoot, these children are susceptible to lacerations and dangerous bacteria from the soil. Frequently the children walked miles on gravely hot roads. The shoes we take for granted can have a profound impact on a child's life: They can be a form of transportation, a means for education (some kids aren't accepted to school without shoes) and a source of self-esteem.

Moved by her experience, Mona came back to the United States and began collecting lightly used and new shoes. A year later she returned to Guatemala to distribute shoes and was called by the Lord to expand her organization around the world.

Everything from boots to sandals and slippers, even Roller Blades and soccer cleats, poured in. A local real estate company heard about Share Your Soles and donated a warehouse. Volunteers were organized who washed and bleached sneakers and polished dress shoes. American Airlines offered to fly them to distribution sites around the world. Now, Mona distributes shoes to such places as American Indian reservations, Africa and South America. In the past, Share Your Soles distributed 13,000 pairs of shoes to New Orleans Katrina victims and 15,000 pair to Sri Lankan victims in Thailand.

All money in the blue mission envelopes during January will go towards delivering, cleaning and shipping the shoes, and getting supplies like tape and boxes. If you would like more information about Share Your Soles visit www.shareyoursoles.com.

For more information on this or other missions supported by Christ United Methodist Church please contact Robin Smith.