Excelsior Springs Rotary Offers Shoes for Orphan Souls

We can all relate to the need for shoes in our lives, but for millions of children around the world, the need is great. That is why Excelsior Springs Rotary Club has teamed up with other Rotarians throughout the region to collect new pairs of shoes to be sent to the Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls effort in Texas. According to their website, Buckner International, a Christian organization, has been serving children throughout the world with the gift of shoes since 1999. For the last fifteen years Rotary groups throughout the nation take part in collecting donations to further the incredible impact this mission plays.

“Shoes Cheerleader” Larry Lunsford has been leading the Rotarian effort for the last 21 years, collecting shoes using the “Shoes Caravan”, which travels for for two weekends throughout the state of Missouri stopping for collections in each community that has a Rotary group participating. The Excelsior Springs Rotary Club was stop 23 of 42 stops, meeting the Shoe Caravan in the parking lot across from the Good Samaritan Center in downtown on Saturday, May 14th. For several months the Excelsior Springs Rotary has taken collections of shoe donations from its members. Community Bank of Missouri also held a collection at their Excelsior Springs location for the effort. In all, 53 pairs of shoes were collected and another $700 in monetary donations was given by the local community.

Excelsior Springs Rotary with Shoes Caravan — *Excelsior Springs Rotary Club members with Shoes Cheerleader Larry Lunsford, middle. Left to right: Greg Broadbent, Mike Edwards, Courtney Cole, Bob Gerdes*

The Rotary District of 6040 as a whole collected 13,500 pairs of shoes, 3,000 pairs of socks, and over $32,000 in checks and cash donations. In a follow up email to all clubs participating, Larry Lunsford noted that the numbers set this year were record breaking, with a significantly more amount of cash donated. Over the last 21 years, Rotary District 6040 has collected 385,000 pairs of shoes; over 45,000 pairs of socks; nearly 27,000 pairs of shoe laces; some shoe horns; some shoe spoons; and over $232,000 in cash.

The shoes collected during the drive will provide hope for children living in orphanages and impoverished communities where Buckner International offers a variety of holistic services. Through foster care, empowerment programs, transitional care and humanitarian aid, Buckner International supports children and families in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, and Peru. The mission stems from the legacy of Dr. Robert Cooke “Father” Buckner, who founded Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas after seeing the needs of hurting and orphaned children in post-Civil War Texas. In the first years, Buckner Orphans Home was filled with children left parentless due to disease and hardship.

carrying boxes of shoes into trailer — *Excelsior Springs Rotary Club members Mike Edwards and Greg Broadbent load up the trailer with the shoe donations gathered in the Excelsior Springs community.*

Shawn Spurrler, director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, said, “Thank you to the Rotary Club and everyone in the community who helped them meet their collection goals. Whether you are an individual who donated one or two pairs or a company that donated dozens, you have truly made a difference in a child’s life.”

About Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls:

Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner International, provides new shoes and socks to orphans and vulnerable children in the United States and throughout the world. Since 1999, Buckner Shoes has collected and distributed nearly 4 million pairs of new shoes, serving children in more than 80 countries. Thirty percent of the shoes benefit children living in the U.S. For more information about organizing a shoe drive and volunteer opportunities, call toll-free 1-866-774- SHOE or visit Buckner.org/Shoes.

About Rotary International:

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end. For more information, visit Rotary.org.