The 2010 earthquake in Haiti devastated a country which was already the poorest in the Western hemisphere. More than 200,000 died and more than 300,000 were injured. More than a million people

are still living in tent cities, in vacant lots, and parks throughout the city. Tens of thousands of children have been orphaned due to the

disaster and are struggling to survive.

The reality of life for many individuals in Haiti is that having a pair of shoes is a

rarity.

Infections, disease, and even death currently plagues over 20 million Haitian children.

Shoes are very often a required part of the school uniform in Haiti, and without shoes, many children are unable to attend school. Without an education, it becomes virtually impossible to get a job to feed

themselves and their families.

Many serious health conditions can be absorbed through the feet. As the skin on the bottom of the feet toughens and

thickens, large cracks can form. These cracks allow parasitic infections, such as hookworm and threadworm, to penetrate

the skin.

Some of the most dangerous conditions of going barefoot is the risk of puncture wounds, cuts, scrapes and burns to the feet. These injuries are almost never treated and can lead to

serious infections, amputations and even death.

With the number of children living in extreme poverty and therefore surviving at a scavenger's existence. The feet are at tremendous risk as the child hunts for food or household items in garbage dumps, abandoned housing/construction areas, or while crossing through open sewer trenches and

contaminated areas.

The number of barefoot orphaned children, in Haiti alone, is estimated to be above 20 million.

Over 300 million children worldwide are without shoes.

Our school will be

collecting your new or worn footwear in order

to make a BIG difference through the gift of

shoes. Every donation will support the charity’s

initiative to distribute shoes to those in Haiti.

Students and Teachers may drop off old shoes at any shoe drop off point throughout the school.

Shoe Drop off Points:Main Office

Lunch Room Library

Dates: January 15th – February 13th

Shoes Accepted: Any and all shoes, in any condition, from anyone you know!

Shoe Drop Off Procedure: When dropping off shoes, please give them to an adult at the drop off station. The adult will then give you a paper shoe to write your name on. These shoes will be placed around the school. You will also receive an “I Donated” sticker to wear.

It is estimated that Americans alone have over 1.5 billion shoes

taking up space in their closets. Our goal is to collect some of these used shoes and give

them to the children in Haiti.

We have the power to change their lives, one pair at a time.

Help Restore Hope to Haiti

• http://www.soles4souls.org/media/videos/help-us-restore-hope-in-haiti