Fifty-Six Rotary Clubs in Northern Missouri Collect Nearly 19,000 Shoes for Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® in the United States and Africa

USA - English

• USA - English

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- During the recent Rotary District 6040 "Shoes Caravan" conducted on April 24-27 throughout North Missouri, members of 56 Rotary Clubs in Missouri collected and donated a total of 18,819 pairs of shoes, 3,744 pairs of socks, 1,578 pairs of shoelaces, and nearly $13,000 for vulnerable children and orphans in the United States, Kenya, Africa, and other countries around the world. This humanitarian aid was collected during the a 20-stop Shoes Caravan, starting in Higginsville, MO on April 24 and ending in Cameron, Missouri on April 27.

Missouri Rotary clubs of Rotary District 6040 are the largest single contributing organization to the Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls campaign to date, collecting a total of 339,000 pairs of shoes since the first shoe drive in 2001.

"Rotary clubs in northern Missouri have really opened their hearts to help children in need," said Rotary leader Larry Lunsford, who has organized the shoe drive since 2001. "A simple pair of shoes can make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable children and orphans." Rotary Governor of District 6040, Julie McCoy, noted that ""Rotary members are people of action. Through projects like our shoe drive, we mobilize our communities and make a difference in the lives of children, both locally and globally."

United Parcel Service collaborated with Rotary District 6040 to provide transportation for the collection, from the final caravan stop in Cameron, Missouri to the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid in Dallas,Texas.

"UPS encourages its employees to volunteer and give back to the community in which we live," said Patrick O'Connell, UPS driver, who has helped with this shipment for many years. "Since we are a global company, this project not only helps our community, but also the children of many nations."

Rachel Wallis, director of the Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls program, said Buckner is "extremely grateful" for the shoe donation this year, as well as for all of the donations they have received from Rotary District 6040 in the past.

"Rotary's consistency over 18 years has allowed us to send more shoes to children around the world, and ultimately, opened the door for us to share love and care with more children who otherwise wouldn't receive it," she said.

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

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit Rotary.org for more about Rotary.

CONTACT: Christopher Ruth, Buckner International 630-536-9139
                    Larry Lunsford, Rotary 816-960-5255

SOURCE Buckner Shoes for Orphan