| September 2009 eNewsletter www.samaritansfeet.org |
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Samaritan's Feet eNewsletter
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Keep current on breaking news! Join "Samaritan's Feet Shoe of Hope Ambassadors" by clicking  and follow our adventures across the globe at  ! |
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Lt. Gov of North Carolina goes 'Barefoot for Barefeet'!
North Carolina Lt. Governor Walter Dalton (pictured here with Samaritan's Feet Co-Founder Tracie Ohonme) put his best foot forward on Wednesday, August 26th, when he attended a press conference in his bare feet to kick off the Samaritan's Feet "Sole Destination" program.
Thousands of North Carolina residents will have their feet washed, receive a new pair of shoes, and be touched with a message of hope through a partnership between Samaritan's Feet, Finish Line and North Carolina Governmental Departments that work with families in need.
"Going barefoot for residents in North Carolina is the least that I can do," said Lt. Governor Walter Dalton. "I know that many families in North Carolina are struggling to make ends meet. I am excited that we have partnered with Samaritan's Feet to make a difference in a state that I love and have served for many years."
Finish Line and Samaritan's Feet have partnered with governors and lieutenant governors across the country. As a result, Samaritan's Feet and Finish Line are providing thousands of pairs of free shoes to US residents. Governors and Lt. Governors from North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, South Dakota and others have shed their shoes to help put shoes on the feet of the families in their state by going barefoot during a regularly scheduled press conference. |
Our Samaritan of the Week-
Ethan Murphy!
Eight year old Ethan Murphy found out about Samaritan's Feet through IUPUI Basketball Coach Ron Hunter. Coach Hunter coached a game barefoot and encouraged hundreds of other coaches to do the same, in order to raise shoes and funds for Samaritan's Feet.
Coach Hunter inspired Ethan to organize a shoe drive with a goal of purchasing ten pairs of new shoes. His efforts continued to multiply, and Ethan was eventually able to raise enough funds to purchase 150 pairs of new shoes for those in need!
But it wasn't enough for Ethan to purchase the shoes: he also wanted to distribute them! Ethan delivered the shoes he had purchased to two homeless shelters and one women's shelter. At one of the homeless shelters, Ethan personally handed out one hundred pairs of new shoes to the residents.
Thank you Ethan, for your selfless work on behalf of Samaritan's Feet! It is our honor to designate you our Samaritan of the Week!
There are numerous ways to get involved with Samaritan's Feet. We would love for you to be a part of our team!
If YOU have a heart for the impoverished and want to volunteer for a project with Samaritan's Feet, contact us HERE!
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Children in Guyana touched by Samaritan's Feet!
Volunteers for Samaritan's Feet are never quite sure what to expect when they join an overseas team. When Marilyn Calcutta returned from Guyana in July 2009, she realized her experience there was life transforming.
Marilyn was deeply touched by the willingness of 47 Guyana churches to assist the Samaritan's Feet team at shoe distributions. "As these local volunteers tenderly washed the feet of children in their own community, they became passionate about serving in this way," reflects Marilyn. "Many didn't want to give up their seat as a foot washer, or to even take breaks."
The stories children shared at the Sophia Care Center orphanage were tragically familiar. "We were not allowed to film the faces of these children because of the danger it placed them in," said Marilyn.
The team did VBS with the children, made crafts and played games before washing their feet and giving them shoes.
"We ate lunch with them afterward, while we told stories, took pictures, and made new friends. Most of these kids never had anyone tenderly hold their feet in their hands, look them in the eyes and tell them about someone who accepts them just as they are."
"We are forever changed by our experience," Marilyn concludes. "We gave something, expecting nothing, and gained everything."
Would you like to join Samaritan's Feet on an international trip? Contact us HERE for details! |
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JOIN OUR TEXT TO GIVE CAMPAIGN!
Would YOU like to change the life of an impoverished child in 60 seconds?
Just text the word SHOES to 85944!
You will receive a text back asking if you want to donate $5 to Samaritan's Feet. A simple YES confirmation will complete your transaction (or a chance to opt out if you change your mind), and the $5 donation will be added to your next cell phone bill.
NO checks, no credit cards, simple, safe, and easy! This donation can be made up to five times each month.
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