January 28, 2015
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference partnered with Samaritan's Feet International during the 2014 football season and held a shoe distribution at Padua Academy in Indianapolis Tuesday morning. Members of the All-HCAC football team and coaching staffs were present as 170 children received a brand new pair of shoes due to their fundraising efforts during the season. Head Coach Denny Dorrel and First Team All-HCAC selections Brad Swavel (Marion/Ridgedale) and Ryan Aelker (New Bavaria/Holgate) represented Bluffton on Tuesday.
This was the second-consecutive year the HCAC and Samaritan's Feet teamed with Padua Academy for its annual distribution.
The partnership between the HCAC and Samaritan's Feet was sparked by Mount St. Joseph University football coach Rod Huber. Following his personal visit to Africa in the summer of 2013, Huber was motivated to find a way to do more in a significant and meaningful way for Samaritan's Feet in support of their mission to provide 10 million pair of shoes to 10 million people within the next 10 years. This motivation prompted Huber, along with the help from the conference head coaches and HCAC Commissioner Chris Ragsdale, to garner support and designate one game each fall to support this initiative.
"The Samaritan's Feet shoe distribution at the Padua Academy was once again an overwhelming success," said Huber. "I was truly moved by the manner in which these football players from the All-HCAC team sat and washed the feet of the children and slipped on a new pair of shoes and socks." Huber added, "they encouraged the youngsters to be positive, stay in school, and dream big dreams. I left the event knowing the football players, coaches, and Samaritan's Feet made a difference in the lives of the 170 children served in Indianapolis."
Each HCAC school scheduled a game during their season to raise awareness and funds. During a Barefoot Game, Samaritan's Feet is highlighted in various ways. Often coaches elect to go through the game without wearing shoes in order to highlight the 300 million people around the world who go without shoes every day.
The conference raised approximately $7,000 dollars during the season fundraising event. As a result of these efforts, every single child from kindergarten through fifth grade at Padua Academy in Indianapolis was supplied with a brand new pair of shoes, socks, and a draw string back pack.
"In NCAA Division III we are committed to the development of our student-athletes through a comprehensive educational experience; which includes furthering their development as future citizens and leaders within their communities," stated HCAC Commissioner, Christopher Ragsdale. "Consequently, it is incumbent upon us to provide, whenever possible, experiences that serve to increase the awareness of the need for strong positive leadership and their responsibility to make a difference in today's world," Ragsdale added.
Samaritan's Feet is a non-profit organization founded by Manny Ohonme in 2003. Their mission is to equip ten million impoverished children with ten million shoes in ten years. Since beginning in 2003, Samaritan's Feet has helped 4 million people in 60 countries.
If you would like to make a donation to Samaritan's Feet cause you can do so here: http://www.samaritansfeet.org/donate
Courtesy: Heartland Conference Sports Information
