Everyone has a pair of shoes or two that aren’t as comfortable as they would like, don’t go with anything they have — or that they are just plain tired of. Residents should dig deep in their closets and bring their “gently used” shoes to the Potomac United Methodist Church (PUMC) at 9908 South Glen Road in Potomac on Sunday, March 29 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. By donating shoes, residents will be helping Soles4Souls, a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting the “devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty.”

Junior Girl Scouts, who are members of Troop 642, attend Potomac Elementary, Wayside Elementary and The German School. While searching the internet for charities that they could become involved in helping, the girls, all 10 years old, discovered Soles4Souls and became excited and energized about supporting the organization in meeting their goal of collecting one million pairs of shoes. The campaign, which continues through Earth Day, April 22 is aimed at diverting used shoes away from landfills and instead, using them to generate a source of revenue for micro-entrepreneurs in developing nations. The girls will earn their Bronze Award — the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve — for their work on this fundraiser.

“Junior Girl Scout Troop 642 is supporting Soles4Souls because it is the definition of a social enterprise where solid business practices are used to create positive change in people’s lives,” said Troop Leader Candice Siegenthaler. ‘We hope to take a big step in providing the organization with the new and used shoes they need to keep making a difference for people in need both globally as well in the USA.”

Siegenthaler explains that in order to earn a Bronze award, the girls must make the community aware of a need and involve them in the project. “The girls have put together poster boards and videos about the project. They are realizing how a local project can affect our entire world — local to global. We are hoping to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes and we have invited other Girl Scout troops to become involved with our mission. Any kinds of gently used shoes, slippers or sandals will be so appreciated,” Siegenthaler said.

The 10-year-olds are finding that the project has become exceptionally meaningful to each of them. Natalie Horton said, “It’s meaningful because this charity distributes shoes all around the world to people who need them. The people suffer from bacteria that get into their feet. Kids can’t go to schools without shoes and that means they can’t be educated.”

Isabella Shawl said, “I think it is really cool how the Soles4Souls organization also helps people in poor countries to start their own small businesses to sell the shoes.”

Hannah Emam is excited that “We are doing something that can change the world, just from a fundraiser.”

Anna Lydia Siegenthaler said, “It makes me feel good to know that we are helping so many children and adults around the world by giving them shoes and a more comfortable life.”

Anika Hukmani appreciates the opportunity to “give shoes to people who really need them and helping to decrease the poverty population — and making other countries a happier place.”

Anika Nagel realizes that “We are helping people all around the world — and making a difference.”

Used and new shoes should be brought to PUMC. The Girl Scouts will collect them, make certain they are fastened together and will share information about Soles4Souls and how this fundraiser will help them collect their Bronze Award. Then the Girl Scouts and their parents will fill automobiles with the shoes and deliver them to Soles4Soles.

Soles4Souls was born out of responding to natural disasters both domestically and internationally. They maintain a “ready inventory” that can respond quickly to any disaster relief. On its website, it says, “While the U.S. was fortunate to not have a catastrophic disaster the magnitude of Katrina in 2007, our country still had an abundance of crisis across our nation. From the wildfires in Southern California, floods in the Mid-West, and the tornados in the Southeast, Soles4Souls were able to respond quickly and efficiently with needed footwear. Your ongoing support makes it possible for us to position ourselves to continue to meet the needs of others during their darkest hours.”

Sloane Seminara sums how she feels about participating in the project: “I feel good about myself because I am giving these shoes to someone who needs them. Although I do not know or never will know the person who receives these donations, I know that I am making someone happy — and that makes me happy.”

Reva Mannan says that “preparing for the project excites me because we have worked so hard — and are doing it for a great cause,” and Devika Mathur said, “I am excited because this is one of the first times I am taking part in a fundraiser — and I am looking forward to helping people in need and contribute to the fight against poverty.”