Salvaging soles to help souls

When he's working for a good cause, Taylor Buttelman knows how to get the word out fast.

After Buttelman, 16, learned his youth group wanted to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes for charity, he didn't waste any time asking his mother, her co-workers, his grandmother in Tennessee and her friends for help.

With those contributions, Buttleman has donated about 300 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls, a national organization that provides new and used shoes to those in need in more than 180 countries.

In the past month, the Crossing Youth Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Brooksville has collected 826 pairs of shoes, closing in on the original goal of 1,000 pairs.

A new goal has been set at 4,130, a reference to Philippians 4:13 which reads "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The youth will continue collecting shoes until Dec. 15.

Buttleman, who's leading the collection with Stephen and Tyler Skipper at 198 pairs and Ryan Mattison at 157 close behind, said shoes are a necessity that are often taken for granted.

"I think just knowing that people have something to walk in will help them go through the day," he said. "I think it's good for kids to get involved in these kinds of things so they don't do bad stuff."

Youth leader Bill Bristow, who came up with the fundraiser, has given the youth an incentive to bring in as many shoes as possible.

The one with the most shoes receives a youth ski trip or $288 toward mission trip funds. 

"It sounded like something you could get your hands on and really help someone," he said.

"They've exceeded my expectations."

Bristow said a unique aspect of Soles4Souls is that used shoes are donated to help support micro-business efforts in towns struck by poverty, where communities can refurbish the used shoes on their own.

"The shoes will continuously be replaced," he said. "It's kind of a way to pay it forward. For a lot of people, this is going to be their first pair of shoes. It means a future to them."

Savannah Rogers, 17, has collected 24 pairs of shoes, ranging from turquoise boots to pink sneakers, all from her own closet, and she hopes her efforts will inspire other youth groups.

"They are really going to help people because now they won't have to worry about getting infections by not wearing shoes," she said. "Kids our age can do a whole lot, and I think we can show kids our age that you can help. It doesn't take a lot."

Youth pastor Laura Ice said the collection process shows the youth they can make an impact on someone's life even at a young age.

"I'm excited they've taken ownership of it, to really not be afraid to get out there and do something for the community," she said. "Something like this shows them they can make a difference in the world."

The public can make donations to the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at 109 S. Broad St.

No high heels or flip flops will be accepted. With each donation, the church asks for a $1 contribution to help cover shipping costs.

For more information, visit www.soles4souls.org.