We are wrapping up our Kicks for Kids drive and are pleased to announce that we have 293 pairs of sneakers to take to Ethiopia with us!
Holy.Whopping.Cannoli.
Our goal was to donate 200 pair to Noemi’s orphanage, but the loving hands of so many produced 293! We purchased 5 32-gallon tubs last week, but Donovan is on the phone as I write trying to find a Home Depot that has not sold out of them, as we now need to purchase two more tubs. We had to be picky about the tub so as to maximize space without going over size/weight limits. Not only did you, my friends, cause a pile up of shoes in our living room, you also donated enough money to allow us to purchase the tubs, hundreds of socks to stuff in the shoes and pay for the extra baggage costs. If we have any extra money we will use it to purchase formula for the babies at Wanna House.
Don’t let the photos deceive you—almost every pair of shoes in this pile is stuffed with a second, smaller pair inside so as not to waste precious space. We removed the tags for each pair, stuffed a smaller pair inside and rubber banded them together. Whew. That was a bigger job than I had expected. Now…we just need to get all of these tubs through the airport and to the orphanage safe and sound. I’m considering wearing my shoulder brace in the airport just to look extra pathetic as a way of (hopefully) eliciting the help of innocent airport staff.
A sincere and teary thanks to all of you who gave your time and money to donate to this drive. Donovan and I have truly been moved by the kindness and generosity of so many. The greatest thing about this whole sneaker drive is that it is the effort of so many people, coming together to help out the children of Ethiopia. I can’t count how many times I came home to find packages of sneakers on our front step or a check that had showed up in our mailbox. If Noemi could, I’m sure she’d give each of you a wet, sloppy kiss of thanks!
T minus 4 days to go!
