How often do you think about your shoes? Maybe it crosses your mind when you’re deciding which pair you might put on today. But for some children, the thought of having just one pair of shoes that are theirs – and theirs alone – is a far-fetched dream.
 
For the last 25 years, Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® has sought to make those dreams a reality. Through a pair of shoes, there’s a path for children to not only have their own shoes, but to have their own dreams and goals.
 
“Shoes give kids health, education, opportunity and hope,” shared Dr. Albert Reyes, president and CEO for Buckner International. “We don’t ask the boys and girls to choose which one of those they want. They get all four when they get a new pair of shoes.”
 
While a pair of shoes may seem like a simple item we have in our closet, shoes are a necessity. They protect feet from disease, open doors to education and opportunity and through Buckner Shoes, create a gateway to learn more about the God who loves them, as well as other Buckner programs that can empower vulnerable families toward self-sufficiency and success.

What’s the impact of 25 years and 5 million shoes?

Since 1999, Buckner Shoes has collected more than 5 million pairs of new shoes. Twenty-five years ago, Buckner had the opportunity to assume operations of Shoes for Russian Souls from KCBI radio. Since then, many volunteers, radio partners, children and families have worked together to collect, pack and distribute these shoes across the world to impact those who need them the most.

• More than 1,700 Christian radio stations in the United States have shared about the mission of Buckner Shoes. From shoe drives, fundraisers or spot promotions, the mention of shoes has been broadcasted to millions through this avenue.
• As of September 2024, there have been 5,057,348 shoes collected. Based on a size 9 shoe (global average), these shoes would take you more than 1,600 miles. You could travel along those shoes from Dallas, Texas, all the way to Olympia, Washington.
• More than 20,000 shoe drives have been hosted over the last 25 years. Through churches, organizations, individuals, birthday parties and more, people have banded together to collect shoes for vulnerable children.
• These shoes have gone to those in desperate need in more than 80 countries worldwide.
• And since 2007, more than 95,000 people have volunteered their time at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid to organize, pack and distribute shoes.

It’s more than just putting on a new pair of shoes

Across the world at Buckner Shoes distributions, volunteers and others journey beside children receiving a new pair of shoes. The child picks out their new shoes and sits to have someone put them on.
 
“Something special happens when you kneel and remove old, tattered shoes and socks, wash a child’s feet, and place new socks and shoes on the child,” Reyes said. “That’s a special moment for me. But it’s followed by a special moment for the child, as he or she breaks into a wide smile and begins trying out the new shoes.”
 
And for some children, that pair of shoes marks the start of a new chapter for the rest of their life. Natasha Potts celebrates the day she received her new pair of shoes as one of the happiest moments of her life.
 
Natasha lived in an orphanage in St. Petersburg, Russia, before she and her older brother were adopted. The only item she owned for a long time was a single stuffed animal – a monkey her brother had given her for her birthday. Everything else was shared among dozens of children.
 
“It meant a lot, that a pair of shoes belonged to us. They belonged to me,” she shared.
 
You can read more stories like Natasha’s in a recent Buckner Today special publication highlighting the past 25 years of Buckner Shoes.

Celebrating more than two decades of hope

Earlier this month, dozens gathered to celebrate the impact and joy of the Buckner Shoes ministry. With special moments of reminiscing from longtime Buckner staff, President Albert Reyes, and an insightful interview with Natasha Potts and Ron Harris, who conceived the idea of Shoes for Russian Souls when he worked for KCBI Radio in Dallas.

Following the interview, attendees enjoyed a powerful worship concert with longtime friend of Buckner Shoes, Geoff Moore.
 
While each child who receives a pair of shoes may have a different story, they are each connected by the more than 5 million others who received shoes and a note of love, encouragement and hope. They are connected by the way the Buckner Family Hope Center® programs strengthened their families through education and opportunities.
 
“Thanks to the many people who have supported the Buckner Shoes mission, we are growing in the shoes we collect and distribute, and we are growing in the lives we are changing,” shared Shawn Spurrier, director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. “We are committed to protecting these children, walking alongside their families and reminding them they are loved by Jesus as well as by thousands of people.”
 
“And we’re committed to ensuring these children have a future filled with hope and dreams. Every time you donate or volunteer with us, you’re helping Buckner keep that commitment to each child – over the past 25 years and for another 25 to come.”

Find out how you can impact a child through Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® today.