National Day of Service 2012 – Memphis, TN

This event and our partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club and the Navy were such a blessing. Together we were able to serve about 225 individuals from Families of Incarcerated Individuals, Girls Inc., Catholic Charities, Building Blocks, Tunica Mentoring, Refugee Empowerment Center and Memphis Family Shelter with new shoes and uplifting moments to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our volunteers showed true servant leadership by washing the feet of these neighbors and no one left the same.

“The magic was not just in the children’s joy and appreciation – many said it was the best day of their lives – but, rather in some of the intimate moments. There was a 14-year-old girl who dreamed of becoming a chef. The adult washing her feet was Rusty Prudhon, owner of Napa Café, who invited her and her family to the restaurant for dinner and personal training. Her smile could have spanned the globe! Then there were countless kids who asked the Navy sailors for a picture, not just thanking them for their shoes, but for serving our country. Indeed, the day was about much more than shoes – it was about sharing love and hope!” – Jeremy Park, director of communications at Lipscomb Pitts Insurance and director of the Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club (read more in his article for The Memphis Daily News here)

Thank you for supporting the mission of Samaritan’s Feet and making incredible events like this one possible.

Check out these news features from the event at Yahoo! News and The Commercial Appeal.

Take a look at some videos and photos from the day:

See more photos here and here.