Holy Soley!

Today's quote to put things in perspective:
"If they can make penicillin out of mouldy bread, they can sure make something out of you."

-Muhammed Ali-

See - you feel better already.   You know you're better than a green heel of bread.   Want to know how you can feel even better?  By donating shoes.  My sister, along with her coworkers, have been champions of shoe driving this past week.   She showed me the trunk of her car after work today and all I could say was "HOLY SOLEY." 

I'm not sure when I first heard of Soles 4 Souls, but it must have been last year sometime.   Earlier this year, I arranged a shoe drive at work as part of our Earth Week activities - it puts a new spin on recycling.    And then I learned something really exciting....

You can go on international volunteer trips to distribute shoes.   

You can see the actual difference a pair of shoes can make.  

I love to travel.   It's what prompted me to start my blog in the first place.   I've done a variety of international volunteer trips in the past 6 years including going to Mexico with the Whitewater Presbytery as well as with Healing Waters International.    I went to Thailand with Cross Cultural Solutions.   Last year I (and over 50 highschoolers) worked with Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala.  Going on a trip with S4S will hopefully be something I can do in 2012.    Keep your fingers crossed. 

This current shoe drive is part of the Flippin' Good Deeds Challenge sponsored by Soles 4 Souls and Flip Flop Wines.   Bloggers are encouraged to reach out to their community and share the love of (donating) shoes.  Look in your closet.   There is some pair that you only wore once to your cousin's best friends college roommates wedding.   The cute pink shoes your niece outgrew.   A pair of shoes that you just don't like anymore.   If it's in good condition, even if it's rollin' solo, it can be donated.  

Traveler's 6 Step Guide to being a Flippin' Good Person!

1. Gather your pre-loved shoes. Tie each pair together, either with the shoelaces or with a rubber band (or silver ribbon...whatever you have on hand).
2. If you have fewer than 10 pairs, you can donate them at a local drop off location. Click here to search for one near you.
3. If you have more than 10 pairs or would rather ship your shoe donation, please ship them to one of the Soles 4 Souls warehouses. Click here for the addresses. If you ship a box, please include the form from #4 (below) in the box as well.
4. Whether you drop off your shoes or ship them, please fill out THIS FORM and email it to the Donor Services Guru at Soles 4 Souls, LaCita Mason (lacitam@giveshoes.org). If faxing is your style, you can fax the form to 615-391-5730. This form has my blog address on it (travelerforgood.blogspot.com) as well as my blogger ID for this challenge (ID #040).
5. Oooh, we're getting close to the end of the year....do you want a tax receipt? Here you go!
6. Give yourself a big hug. Or grab somebody sexy and tell them "hey." Your gift of shoes has made a difference for someone in need.

I was looking for a motivational quote about shoes to end this post with.   And then I saw this (source unknown):  "Arithmetic is being able to count up to twenty without taking off your shoes."

There you go.   Have a great weekend!