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Samaritans focus on footwear
Megan Sprague
Volunteers lace tennis shoes as part of “Make a Difference Day,” focusing on Samaritan Feet.
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Published: October 25, 2009
MOORESVILLE — Volunteers from around Mooresville and Statesville joined together at the Lake Norman Dance Gallery on Saturday to participate in "Make A Difference Day."
Sponsored by New Hope Missions Church and the Mooresville Christian Mission, people of all ages sorted and laced more than 6,000 pairs of shoes for Samaritan's Feet, a nonprofit organization that distributes shoes around the world.
"It's really amazing because they not only give new shoes to people who don't have any, but also wash their feet and put on the new shoes and socks for them, which adds to the love of the mission," New Hope Pastor Pete Varvaris said.
Sorting the shoes is a necessary project for volunteers because ,Varvaris explained, if someone does not prelace and group the shoes by size, the shoe distribution process would be much slower and they could not serve as many people.
"We're just going through the shoes, and after they're laced and grouped, we rebox them and they will be used domestically and around the world," he said. "We have probably close to 100 volunteers here, and not all of them are from our church because we're pretty small.
"A lot of us here today are very blessed and want to share our blessings with others," Varvaris said.
Make A Difference Day increases awareness of the needs of Mooresville-area residents who are virtually invisible to many.
Sitting at a folding table and chatting were friends Laurie Hlywa and Pastor Jeff Marquardt and his wife, Nancy, were sitting at a folding table during the event.
"I heard about the event through an e-mail and I just wanted to come out and help," said Hlywa. "I like how events like this can bring a community closer together and you can get to know new people."
"I think events like this one are a lot of fun," said Pastor Marquardt. "It's really part of our faith and it's great to be able to make a difference in people's lives. I love that people brought their children to help, because it's very important to see that any age can make a difference."
Kris and Tom Lamb, who brought their children, said it was important for their boys to help out and not take everything for granted.
"We've been to South Africa and Peru and it's amazing to see that things get so much more appreciation from people who don't have anything," Tom said.
"They're just so grateful over the little things, and this is something we can do as a family."
"We like to remind the kids that there are people out there that have no shoes, and this is something we can help with," Kris added.
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