Madi Bigej is a 16-year-old junior at Canby High School. She has a lot of heart, and she wants to use it to do good for others. As part of Al’s fourth generation and Al’s youngest great-granddaughter, Madi is fighting to bring hope and change for kids in need right here in her own community, throughout the US and around the world. Madi was nominated as one of three high school Soles4Souls Young Leaders in the U.S. for 2023 and she has big goals to help other students experiencing homelessness right here in Oregon and the rest of the country by gathering donations to purchase new athletic shoes for students in need.
Her goal is to raise enough funds to purchase at least 500 pairs of new athletic shoes for kids experiencing homelessness. This goal may be lofty as it will require raising $10,000 but Madi knows what can happen when you are motivated by love and kindness, and anything is possible when a community comes together to do good for others. Due to amazing partnerships right here at home with shoe manufacturers like Nike, $20 purchases one pair of branded athletic shoes for a homeless child in need. Together, we can stomp out poverty and bring confidence, hope and health to a child in our community.
What is Soles4Souls?
Soles4Souls turns shoes and clothing into opportunities for education and employment so that children and adults can have a more hopeful future. When people lack the resources to get through today, it’s difficult for them to focus on tomorrow. Soles4Souls partners with community-based nonprofit organizations in developing countries to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses that sell donated shoes and clothing.
Soles4Souls 4EveryKid Campaign
Soles4Souls partners with schools across the U.S. to get new athletic shoes to children who are experiencing homelessness, eliminating a barrier to educational and extracurricular opportunities. For the 1.5 million kids in the U.S. who experience homelessness, life is full of challenges. Without a good pair of shoes, kids feel embarrassed, discouraged, or left out— simply because they lack something most of us take for granted. In short, they feel limited today, which can limit their tomorrow.
What difference can a pair of shoes make?
School officials tell us that a good pair of shoes are essential for students to succeed in school, and they can change a child’s future. Kids who receive new shoes have more confidence, attend school more regularly, get better grades and are more physically active.
How can you get involved and make a difference? You can help make a difference by donating new or gently worn shoes at any Al’s Garden and Home location or make a monetary donation towards the purchase of shoes or go the website https://charity.pledgeit.org/f/RW7u99pjyu.
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