Nothing so powerfully illustrates the role that shoes play in our lives as being without them when we need them most. Last Thursday, I joined my ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program (CSJP) intern peers for a community service project at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid where we pitched in at The Shoes for Orphan Souls warehouse.
Raven Introduces the event:
Brynn’s Shoe Story:
Bess’ Shoe Story:
We collected and sorted shoes for the drive and heard moving stories about the hope and empowerment they bring to children in need. While I was there, I had the privilege of hearing a story from Brynn Anderson, coordinator for Buckner Dallas Shoes for Orphan Souls, and Julia Stark, program manager for Shoes for Orphan Souls, and stories from several of the young women working on the project.
Natalie’s Shoe Story:
Caitlin’s Shoe Story:
Natalie Hedge, intern at the Missions Office at Buckner Children and Family Services, introduced the project to her ExxonMobil CSJP intern peers:
“It is so important to have enough shoes in the warehouse to be able to provide every single orphan Buckner reaches with a new pair of shoes. I was privileged to go on a shoe trip to the border a few weeks ago with Buckner and was touched by the work of SOS, so I am thrilled with this project. Shoes not only protect the children’s feet from cuts and bruises, they also decrease the risk of disease by a significant amount. Some of the children Buckner reaches have never had a new pair of shoes, and for some this is the first time they’ve ever had anything new in their lives.”
Bridget’s Shoe Story:
Korey’s Shoe Story:
Elizabeth’s Shoe Story:
