Monday, April 7, 2014

Shoe Fundraiser Update



So much updating to do on our blog! Our shoe fundraiser was our final fundraiser for our adoption, and as you know we partnered with our friends, the Kellihers, in the endeavor. December 3rd was the official kickoff, and at first the shoes were just “trickling” in…a bag here and a bag there. We were getting pretty nervous! Our original goal was for each family to raiser 15,000 lbs. of shoes, which would be approximately 500 large garbage bags full per family.

500 garbage bags! Julie Kelliher and I quickly decided that it would be best to work toward 500 bags together, and then if we could come up with more than that it would just be a bonus. We busied ourselves with collecting shoes, binding them together and bagging them up. So many people helped us with our task, doing their own mini shoe drives in their churches, and amongst their friends, family, and co-workers; for that we are grateful!

Suddenly the shoes started pouring in! We felt confident that we would be able to meet the 15,000 lb. goal and hopefully even beyond! Julie and David’s garage was completely packed and we had a trailer parked outside their house that was also completely full.

The truck came for the shoes on March 17…the same day that we picked up Micah and Aubrey from the orphanage, so we missed out on the hard work of loading the truck since we were already in Bulgaria. Julie and David and their volunteers were gracious enough to carry on without us, and a few friends from our church went down to bring our last few shoes and help load the truck.

Amazingly, the truck was packed from top to bottom with no room to spare. This picture shows that last bags being loaded. It was so full that one bag wouldn’t even fit in!


When the numbers finally came in, we raised 18,708 lbs. of shoes which came to $4,677 per family! Wow…all of that in a little over three months of collecting shoes! We are amazed at what God did through so many supporters who gave of their time, energy, and SHOES to make this happen!

Thank you for your support during our fundraiser!

Erin

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