Operation Compassion Delivers One Million Pairs of Shoes
Operation Compassion, an independent benevolent agency with roots in the Church of God, recently announced the milestone of delivering one million pairs of shoes to needy families.
“Who could imagine that shoes, an item that many American’s collect for fashion, in the right hands could save a life?” said Casey Smith, vice president for international programs for Operation Compassion. “Through the efforts of Operation Compassion and their network of partnerships, that is what shoes are doing.”
According to billionaire entrepreneur Bill Gates, “50 percent of the infectious diseases in the world can be prevented with two things” toilets and shoes.” One shoe manufacturer estimates that 100 million children lack a pair of adequate shoes. Shoes are an essential barrier against disease and are required in most areas for school attendance and for work.
“Our health, education of our children and employment are three things we cannot afford to lose,” Smith continued. “Every day, millions go without these essentials.”
Operation Compassion is shipping new shoes to those in critical need. For every $1.00 donated, a new pair of shoes can be delivered enabling a child to attend school, a single mother to qualify for a job and a young girl to no longer fear soil-transmitted parasites. Last year, over a million people received a pair of shoes through Operation Compassion. Already this year, the organization has delivered over 200,000 pairs.
If you would like to get involved with Operation Compassion and save lives through the gift of shoes, visit www.operationcompassion.org and learn about the various ways to join the operation.
