Christ United Methodist in East Moline, IL Wraps Up a Great Shoe Drive!

Overflowing Box

Below is a recap of a Project Respond Shoe Drive hosted by Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline, Illinois.

We kicked off our shoe drive at Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline, on Sunday, February 28th.  Tricia Danley, Julie Keegan and I made the announcement at each of the three services and were able to show the video of the October 2015 team distributing shoes. We set a goal to collect 100 pairs of shoes and 100 pairs of socks. The video was very well received! 

The following Sunday I spoke to each of the elementary aged Sunday school classes about ACF’s ministries to the orphans and at risk Roma in Romania and told them about the challenges they face.  I also passed out photos/profiles of some of the Point of Hope children, and the kids all agreed to pray for a specific Roma child.  The kids wrote “love” notes to tuck inside the shoes.  They also made shoe-shaped fliers that they took home to parents and we laid the extras out on the fellowship hall tables on Sundays as a reminder to all to donate.  We also lined the walls in the Sunday school wing with the paper shoes and profiles of the children.  Karyn Robertson decorated a bulletin board in a prominent place near the church offices. 

Bulletin board of  HOPE

Near the end of March we were 20 pairs shy of our goal, so we put the word out via Facebook, email and newsletters.  By Sunday, April 2nd we had surpassed our goal with 125 pairs (and about 170 pairs of socks)!  

Last Sunday, April 10th, Karyn and Tricia lined all the shoes up in the hallway in the Sunday school wing and the elementary kids stuffed the love notes in the shoes and laid their hands on them and prayed over them.  One of the attached pictures shows the pre-school and kindergarten kids hugging the shoes, passing on their love to the Romanian children who will wear them.

A Special Thank You!

Then this past Sunday April 17th Karyn gathered the kids for Sunday’s “Small Talk” at the altar at the 10:35 service and she made the announcement of what our congregation had donated and showed a slide show with photos of the shoe drive set to the song “Jesus loves the little children,” and had the kids hold up big letters that said “Thank you.” It brought tears to my eyes! 

I am so touched by the outpouring from our congregation—showing their love and support with their gifts and prayers for the children in Romania.   

I think it is has been a wonderful learning experience for our kids too and I have to thank Karyn Robertson for all she did to get the kids involved and promote the drive.  Couldn’t have done it without her!  God is good!-   Dawn Cook

Another Child Foundation is blessed to have churches like Christ United Methodist Church involved in the life-changing work being done in Romania.

If your church would like to participate in a Project Respond Shoe Drive please contact our Executive Director- Tim Oloffson at director@anotherchild.org or call him at (815) 303-1725.

Children Praying!

More Praying!

Children Hugging and Loving the Shoes