An estimated 300 million children worldwide have no shoes. Unity is reaching out to change that.
In partnership with Soles4Souls Inc., a nonprofit that collects and distributes new and gently used shoes throughout the world, the Spiritual Social Action Team of the Association of Unity Churches International (Association) has launched a project called Shoes4Unity. The goal is to sponsor or gather 525,600 pairs of shoes by the end of 2010—that's the equivalent of one pair of shoes and one life changed for every minute in a year.
Rev. Therese Lee, a Kansas City minister and enthusiastic advocate of the program, has been instrumental in launching the Shoes4Unity project. Speaking to Unity School of Christianity employees last week, she shared how individuals and churches can help.
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The Unity Movement Partners With Soles4Souls
By Elaine MeyerSponsor New Flip Flops
Unity constituents can participate by contributing new flip-flops that have the Shoes4Unity logo. Flip-flops are an economical way to make a tremendous difference in third world countries, as they protect against puncture wounds and ringworm infections, which are the second leading cause of death in Africa.
Donors can send a pair of flip-flops to one person for $5, to a family for $20, a school for $100, or an entire village for $250.
Donate Gently Used Shoes
According to www.soles4souls.org, more than 1.5 billion pairs of shoes go unused in American closets. “Last year alone, Americans discarded more than 300 million pairs of shoes,” said Rev. Lee. Donating such shoes benefits people in need and lessens the environmental impact of discarded shoes.
When asked how to determine whether shoes are “gently” used, Rev. Lee suggested with a laugh that donors consider whether they would give the shoes to a “favorite” brother or sister.
Shoes4Unity collection boxes have been placed at participating Unity churches. From there, donated shoes will be mailed to Tennessee or Alabama for sorting and disinfecting. Those that are wearable will be sent on to individuals in need. Shoes deemed unusable will be ground up to create playground mulch. Mailing a pair of shoes to the distribution center costs about a dollar per pair—an expense that will be covered by the Association.
World Day of Prayer Concert Will Benefit the Drive
To support this project, World Day of Prayer 2009 will feature a benefit concert at Unity Village on September 11 during the World Day of Prayer closing ceremonies. Featured artists will include Karen Taylor Good, Coco Ramos and Richard Mekdeci. Love offerings received during the concert will go directly to the Shoes4Unity project.
How Soles4Souls Began
The idea for Soles4Souls emerged following the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004. While watching news reports of the aftermath, Wayne Elsey, an executive for a footwear company, was struck by an image of a shoe washing up on the beach. He came up with the idea for a shoe donation program. Elsey contacted other footwear executives and went on to deliver a quarter of a million shoes to the area.
When Hurricane Katrina hit a year later, the shoe drive began anew, resulting in more than a million pairs of shoes sent to Gulf Coast communities. Recognizing an ongoing need, Elsey incorporated Soles4Souls as a full-time, not-for-profit organization. Since its inception, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 4 million pairs to people in 125 countries.
Therese Lee sums it up best with her favorite quote about Cinderella, “A life can be changed by one pair of shoes.”
Unity constituents can participate by contributing new flip-flops that have the Shoes4Unity logo. Flip-flops are an economical way to make a tremendous difference in third world countries, as they protect against puncture wounds and ringworm infections, which are the second leading cause of death in Africa.
Donors can send a pair of flip-flops to one person for $5, to a family for $20, a school for $100, or an entire village for $250.
Donate Gently Used Shoes
According to www.soles4souls.org, more than 1.5 billion pairs of shoes go unused in American closets. “Last year alone, Americans discarded more than 300 million pairs of shoes,” said Rev. Lee. Donating such shoes benefits people in need and lessens the environmental impact of discarded shoes.
When asked how to determine whether shoes are “gently” used, Rev. Lee suggested with a laugh that donors consider whether they would give the shoes to a “favorite” brother or sister.
Shoes4Unity collection boxes have been placed at participating Unity churches. From there, donated shoes will be mailed to Tennessee or Alabama for sorting and disinfecting. Those that are wearable will be sent on to individuals in need. Shoes deemed unusable will be ground up to create playground mulch. Mailing a pair of shoes to the distribution center costs about a dollar per pair—an expense that will be covered by the Association.
World Day of Prayer Concert Will Benefit the Drive
To support this project, World Day of Prayer 2009 will feature a benefit concert at Unity Village on September 11 during the World Day of Prayer closing ceremonies. Featured artists will include Karen Taylor Good, Coco Ramos and Richard Mekdeci. Love offerings received during the concert will go directly to the Shoes4Unity project.
How Soles4Souls Began
The idea for Soles4Souls emerged following the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004. While watching news reports of the aftermath, Wayne Elsey, an executive for a footwear company, was struck by an image of a shoe washing up on the beach. He came up with the idea for a shoe donation program. Elsey contacted other footwear executives and went on to deliver a quarter of a million shoes to the area.
When Hurricane Katrina hit a year later, the shoe drive began anew, resulting in more than a million pairs of shoes sent to Gulf Coast communities. Recognizing an ongoing need, Elsey incorporated Soles4Souls as a full-time, not-for-profit organization. Since its inception, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 4 million pairs to people in 125 countries.
Therese Lee sums it up best with her favorite quote about Cinderella, “A life can be changed by one pair of shoes.”
Watch the Soles4Souls video Changing the World One Pair at a Time.™
For shoe drop off locations or to donate, visit www.Shoes4Unity.org
For shoe drop off locations or to donate, visit www.Shoes4Unity.org
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Power of Prayer Retreat:
Prayers and Practices from Around the World
September 5–10, 2010
Unity Village, MO
Participants will experience diverse forms of prayer, discover a deeper appreciation of how prayer unites us, and enjoy beautiful music and practices from many different spiritual traditions. Participants will be at Unity Village during World Day of Prayer 2010.
