When Something Good Comes out of Something Sad…
After my father died in 2017, my mom, my sister and I needed to begin the difficult task of figuring out what to do with all of his belongings. For anyone who has done this, you know it can be physically and emotionally challenging. It can also be overwhelming, simply figuring out what to do with everything. There was one moment, sitting in my father’s closet when we realized we had about 3 large garbage bags full of used, but perfectly good shoes. My mom had reached her limit for the day and I was sure I could find a good home for them, so I told her I would take care of it. As I drove home, I knew there was a place I could take them, a place I’d heard of or seen, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. As soon as I started researching, of course, Shoes for the Homeless, Inc. came up and I was overjoyed at how easily I could put my father’s shoes to good use. I brought them to the collection bin at the Culver City Adult School and made sure to show up at the next Shoes for the Homeless, Inc. shoe processing event. I “forced” my family to come with me and we all had the best time. Everyone was so welcoming and kind and in the same place for one hour to simply give back. The energy was exhilarating and I knew I would be back again. Over the course of the next few months, I revived a collection bin at El Marino Language School that brought in hundreds of shoes and at the same time was grappling with my next personal and professional steps. I had been a stay-at-home mom to our three children for many years, eventually taking on some administrative work for my husband’s Acupuncture & Wellness Clinic, but with a degree in Social Work and a passion for helping others, I felt it was time to add something new to my resume. Almost as if it were a case study from The Secret, Ira approached me at an event and expressed interest in finding someone to help part time to maintain the mission of this wonderful non-profit he created. I am excited to be working with an organization whose sole mission is to help those in need and with Board Members and volunteers who have the same passion for helping others as I do. I am so appreciative for this opportunity and look forward to continuing the great work of Shoes for the Homeless, Inc.
As Project Coordinator, I will be helping with Collections and Donations, so please reach out if you are interested in: Donating Shoes, Hosting a Shoe Drive, Hosting a Permanent Shoe Collection Bin, Volunteering at a Shoe Processing event, Connecting us with Shoe Retail/Manufacturing businesses or Connecting us with new recipient organizations in need of shoes. I can be reached at: Sabrina@shoesforthehomeless.net
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