As demonstrated at PETS in March of this year by Rotary International Trustee, Larry Lunsford, from the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club, Rotary District 6080 is doing a NEW shoe collection effort, partnering with Districts 6040 & 6060. District 6080’s “Shoes Cheerleader” is Brad Martens from Columbia South. Each club should have their own “Cheerleader”, and I am asking all clubs to collect NEW shoes: sale items, seasonal items, closeouts, in all sizes, from newborn to teen; along with new socks, shoe laces, and even cash! Then, each club will transport their donations to the Margaritaville Resort in Osage Beach, MO., for the district conference, a 3-District Fun-“vention” with 6040 & 6060, April 19-21, 2024.
All shoes collected need to be tied or rubber banded together in order to reach their destination as pairs. Shoes will be handled multiple times, similar to a household move, so shoes need to be in boxes for transport on 2-wheel dollies, you can discard the original cartons. See the photographs.
Thank you for your efforts for Shoes for Orphan Souls!
Logistical considerations dictate that shoes collected are destined for the Dominican Republic, Peru and Kenya.
Brad’s Contact info:
Email: [email protected] Cell Phone: 573-268-0937
This will be no small feat. So, I ask each club for the following:
- Nominate someone within their club to be a champion.
- Have that champion organize a committee within their club to brainstorm opportunities to raise awareness and promote the campaign.
- Share your Champion’s contact information with myself via email below.
- Promote the event throughout club gatherings and in your community.
- Engage with local businesses.
District 6080 has a history of rising to the challenge – knowing that we gave 6040 a 23 year head start is a bit comical. So let us set the bar for their clubs going forward and embrace this competition to benefit those who are truly in need. The clock is ticking – we must act quickly.
Two days following the Shoes for Orphan Souls rollout at PETS, clubs were already collecting new shoes, and in the middle of July, I received word of one 6080 club whose storage unit is overflowing with more than 7500 pairs of NEW shoes!
