Week 2

I want to tell the Frederick community that I have been impressed with the enthusiasm that I have seen. I posted my first message on Frederick Freecycle one week ago, and expected maybe a response or two. Three tops, but have had about 15 people in the week express a desire to contribute! I have about 30 pair of shoes now, and have only picked up from 4 homes! Thank you to those families who have donated!! I am very grateful for your generosity and selflessness!

I thought it would be a great idea to set up some contribution boxes in some public places. As of now, I have contacted the Giant grocery store on Kingsfisher Blvd. They accepted, and as soon as I can find a big box, I will be setting it up to recieve gently used childrens shoes. I will update with any additional locations that will accept donations for the kids!

I was contacted on monday by a reporter for the newspaper who wanted to do a story about the collection effort! Megan had recieved a story suggestion from a person who had seen my freecycle ad, and contacted me for more information and to set up an interview. Honestly, I typically would decline any opportunity to have the spotlight on me, but was excited because of the awareness that it will generate. I interviewed with Megan yesterday, and although I am pretty petrified at the idea of being in the newspaper, it is such a great opportunity! So, everybody, read the Frederick News post on Saturday!

Introductions:

My name is Lorie, and I am collecting shoes for children in Afghanistan.
I will never forget the conversation that we had one morning while my husband was deployed in Afghanistan. He was describing what it was like there, the stark contrast from the lives that we are used to. He described poverty, sickness, and hunger. What really broke my heart was the image that he painted in my mind when he described the children. He told me about the snow and ice on the ground, and children running around and playing in the winter-time, their feet covered only by sandals if that, many of them completely barefoot. Its been about two years since that conversation, and I still remember the guilt that I felt for the luxuary of being born in a country where there is plenty, and the helplessness that I felt with my desire to ease their pains. I am ashamed to say that it took me two years to decided to actually begin acting on my idea to gather shoes, to ask my community to help me collect footware. I am even more so ashamed after I have seen the positive response to my one request posted on Freecycle!
So here I go!
Let me warn you that compared to the volunteer work that I have done in the past, this is a large scale operation. However, I am confident that it will result in at least a few feet shielded from the snow!
I will keep you updated through the processes of collection and organizing the logistics to make this plan a success!