Wanted: ‘Shoes for orphans souls’

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WYANET — Six Bureau County collection sites have been set up for the “Shoes for Orphan Souls” shoe drive.

Tim and Theresa Oloffson of Wyanet are leading the shoe collection through their “Go Therefore Orphan Ministry.” The Oloffsons are working with Buckner International in that organization’s annual “Shoes for Orphan Souls” shoe drive.

Bureau County collection sites are Valley Flowers in Spring Valley, Dr. Gary Eckberg’s dentist office in Wyanet, and the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church, Centrue Bank- North Branch, and Martin Chiropractic, all in Princeton.

On Wednesday, Tim Oloffson said the items most needed are closed-toed shoes of any size. The biggest need is for boy’s athletic shoes, sizes 5-11. Also needed are socks and shoestrings. Monetary donations are tax deductible and welcomed, he said.

“The biggest thing we want people to realize is the affect a new pair of shoes has on the life of a child,” Oloffson said. “I have seen the difference a new pair of shoes makes to a child who rarely, if ever, will receive a gift like this. We want people to know they can make a difference to a child.”

Oloffson also encouraged people to include a short note with the shoes. The notes will be translated, if needed, for the children.

Oloffson is part of a group traveling to Romania July 16 to 26 to bring shoes donated last year to the orphaned children. Anyone who would like to experience the joy of putting a pair of shoes onto a child can contact him about future trips.

The Oloffsons have seen firsthand the importance of the “Shoes for Orphan Souls” shoe drive, Tim said. To date, he has made four trips to Romania and his wife has made three.

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