Sonoran Spine Collecting New Shoes for Orphans

Attention Phoenix! – A simple pair of children's shoes may not look powerful, but they can make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable children and orphans around the world.

Sonoran Spine staff, patients, friends & family are Collecting New Shoes for Orphans.

Sonoran Spine is teaming up with Buckner International to ask Valley residents to collect shoes for children in need. The annual nationwide Shoes for Orphan Souls® shoe drive is seeking to collect more than 200,000 pairs of new shoes and socks in 2013. Since 1999, Buckner has sent more than 2.5 million pairs of new shoes to vulnerable children in 74 countries around the globe, including the United States. (30% of shoes/socks are distributed in the United States.) Shoes are distributed on an ongoing basis to several different orphanages.

Dr. Dennis Crandall stated "We are encouraging all of our staff, as well as patients to join us in helping children around the world. We hope that with the support of area churches, retailers, and civic groups, we can help Buckner reach their goal and make life better for children."

"We have seen the smiles that a new pair of shoes brings to children in the orphanages we visit, and we want to extend that same joy to others like them," said Ashley Williamson, Project Coordinator for Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. "Because of Sonoran Spine's commitment to this program, we can continue to increase the number of children who will benefit from a pair of new shoes and socks."

"Millions of children reside in orphanages throughout our world," Williamson said, "and those orphanages are not receiving enough money to care for the children's most basic needs, like shoes and socks."

An unexpected benefit of donating new shoes is the sense of satisfaction on the part of the person who gives. "A person who gives cannot help but feel as though they also have received a great gift," said Williamson.

Donated items should be for children and teens, and due to customs regulations, shoes and socks need to be brand new. The greatest need is for new athletic shoes, sizes Youth 1-Adult 8. Cash donations are also accepted and will help provide new shoes as well as cover distribution costs.

Williamson emphasized that no donation is too small. "Most of the donations to the shoe drive have come from families giving one or two pairs of shoes. Every pair of shoes makes a big difference to the boy or girl who receives them." You can conveniently drop shoes off at any of the SSC locations below June 17- August 31.

• Mesa: 1432 South Dobson Road, Suite 201, Mesa, Arizona 85202
• Phoenix: 2610 North 3rd Street, Suite B, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
• Scottsdale: 10752 N 89th Place, Suite C-134, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
• Glendale: 16222 N 59 Avenue, Suite A-100 in Glendale, Arizona 85306
• Gilbert: 2557 S. Val Vista Drive, Suite 103, Gilbert, Arizona 85295

Locally, volunteers are being sought to coordinate a shoe drive at their church, business, school, or within a civic organization. Volunteers are also needed to travel to the Colonias along the U.S/Mexico border and to countries including the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and Russia to help distribute the shoes and socks.

For more information about the drive and volunteer opportunities, call toll-free 1-866-774-SHOE or visit Buckner.org/shoes.