Tell us more about the production company, please.
For
the past several years, I see how kids here really don't SEE the lives of kids
in everyday life in underdeveloped countries. It brings a lot to them to know
the end result of where the shoes they donate to Share Your Soles end up. Hearts
and minds are both expanded by live footage from my return trips.
Mona & Kids by Mona Purdy
I can see how that could increase your effectiveness. Roughly how many pairs of shoes have you distributed since you got started? And are you able to keep up with the demand?
[As of] April 2010 of this year, we have hand-delivered over one million pairs of shoes. To date it is that plus two hundred thousand. The demand is endless.
One million pairs, how fabulous! Anything you'd like to add, Mona?
Some very good news just arrived: Share Your Soles supports the empowering of woman. We will be collecting shoes at the 4th Annual 26.2 Marathon, "The National Marathon," benefiting the Mayo Clinic and woman living with Breast Cancer in February, 2011. We will also be on site for the May 6th Kenosha (Wisconsin) Marathon. Things are great! Life is great!
Thanks so much for talking with me, Mona. Your foundation is a winner!
***
Ways Your Organization Can Help [from the Share Your Soles website]
Hold a shoe drive. We have shoe drive guidelines and posters to help your organization have a successful shoe drive. Collecting shoes is just the beginning you will help spread the word about the need for shoes, and you will bring your group/community/school/church/organization together for a good cause.
Along with collecting the shoes sort, clean, and polish the shoes you receive before delivering them to the Share Your Soles Processing Center. That way, the shoes are immediately ready to be boxed and shipped where they are most needed. We have sorting and shoe washing guidelines to help you along the way, and our staff is always willing to answer questions.
Along with collecting shoes, you can collect quarters to pay for washing machines, as well as shoe polish, shoe laces, detergent and bleach.
Volunteer at the Processing Center ( MAP ), 11708 S. Mayfield, Alsip, IL. We have jobs for every age group and every ability. We are open Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00am 3:00pm and Tuesday, Wednesday from 10:00am 8:00pm. We ask only that you register prior to your day if you are bringing a group of 8 or more. Our number at the Processing Center is 708-448-4469.
Bring a few bags of shoes to the laundromat to wash. You can wash them when it's convenient for you and bring them back to the Processing Center, where they are laid out on the floor to dry before boxing.
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