Presbyterian Women collect thousands of shoes, socks

Footwear will go to needy children in Louisville

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE — When Louisville officials calculate the economic impact of more than 3,000 Presbyterian women descending on the city recently, it wouldn’t be surprising if a truckload of shoes and socks gets left out of the equation.

     Especially since the cargo — over 7,522 pairs of shoes and an estimated 40,000 pairs of socks — was a gift intended to be measured not in dollars and cents but rather by the number of lives it touches.

     At least that’s what planners of the recently concluded 2006 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women had in mind when they asked participants to collect footwear to donate to needy children in Louisville, which has hosted the triennial event since 1997.

     “The Louisville Convention Bureau doesn’t know how to record this unique economic impact, but Presbyterian Women left their gifts so that the children will know they were there,” said Carol Winkler, hospitality chair of the Gathering Committee. 

     The five-day event, which ended July 11, brought together some 3,100 Presbyterian women from around the United States and more than 80 global partners, who came to share stories of the faith and work of women from their countries.

     This year’s theme was Creation! Celebration! God’s Word — Light for the Journey.

     Many brought bags, boxes, and suitcases filled with shoes and socks that were donated by the attendees, churches and presbyteries.

     Later, even as post-conference cleanup neared completion, a box of shoes and socks arrived at the Kentucky International Convention Center, the meeting venue. Department store gift cards were also received along with contributions totaling $536, Winkler said.

     “To say that Presbyterian Women are generous is an understatement,” she said. “Given the opportunity, they can move mountains and make a difference in a way that can only be measured by love.” 

     Shoes and socks were collected for the first time during the Gathering as a gesture of appreciation to the community of Louisville for continuing to host the every-three-years event, and in celebration of the Decade of the Child.

     The Salvation Army plans to distribute most of the items as part of its “Back to School” project and its “Christmas Angel” program, according to Winkler.

     Some Brazilian guests took home 25-30 pairs of shoes to give to less fortunate children when they return to South America. Portland Presbyterian Church in Louisville took 450 pairs of shoes and about 1,200 pairs of socks to distribute in the local community.