home our mission our efforts our programs your help blog contact
Make a Donation Request Info Our Partners Shoe Drives Trips Online Communities
"Samaritan's Feet Partner w/DC Metro Police"
Posted on December 17, 2008

 

Samaritan's Feet Partners with Washington DC Metro Police 7th District for
 
39th Annual Christmas Party for Disadvantaged Youth
 
 
WASHINGTON DC – December 10, 2008 - - Volunteers from Samaritan’s Feet joined with officers from the DC Metro Police’ 7th District to bring Christmas joy to over 250 disadvantaged youth in Washington DC. Santa’s arrival by helicopter thrilled the children in attendance.
 
Samaritan’s Feet founder, Emmanuel “Manny” Ohonme, commented on the event. “Samaritan’s Feet is humbled to be asked to share in this event as partners with the DC Metro Police, and our friends at the 7th District, Commander Joel Maupin and Lendia Johnson, Community Outreach Coordinator. This event allowed us to continue our commitment to Mayor Fenty and support his efforts in DC’s focus areas that we began in partnership with his office last spring. We look forward to the second annual Celebrate DC Event in April 2009, where we will bless thousands of children with new shoes and a message of hope.”
 
Students from the 25 elementary schools in the District’s Ward 8 were selected by their principals and counselors to participate in the event, also supported by the United States Air Force. Each child was not only given a new pair of shoes by Samaritan’s Feet, but also gifts of clothing and games. One student from each school was chosen at random to receive a new bike. The event was held at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help in SE DC, where the children were also served a hot buffet lunch.
 
The children were entertained by the Ballou High School choir and others, including magician Herb “Magicman” Hughes.   Mr. Hughes commented, “It was a special day to be remembered. I thoroughly enjoy watching the kid’s facial expressions and eyes as I performed illusion after illusion. There always seems to be one child who will follow me around watching everything I’m doing and this time was no exception. I had a little boy who was fascinated with magic and near the end of my performance he asked me if I would show him how to do a magic trick. I showed him a relatively easy illusion whereupon he asked if he could show his friends. Several minutes later he returned with the trick and thanked me. After several more magic tricks, I said farewell to the children, but my little friend didn’t want to leave. I motioned for him to come over to my magic stand and as I said goodbye, I secretly handed him the trick which he had performed for his friends. I told him that it was my Christmas gift to him and that I wanted him to make me proud. He jumped for joy and ran to show his friends. Yes, it is better to give than receive. My heart swelled with an awesome feeling that I was doing God’s will.”
 
Before each child received their new shoes, a volunteer from Samaritan’s Feet gently washed their feet and shared with them a message of hope, letting them know that they are loved. Even Santa got into the act!
 
To learn more about volunteering for Samaritan’s Feet events, or having a shoe drive, visit their website at www.samaritansfeet.org, or join their online Facebook community “Samaritan’s Feet Shoe of Hope Ambassadors.”
 
About Samaritan’s Feet
 
Founded in 2003, Samaritan’s Feet is an international ministry focused on bringing a life-changing message of hope to the over 300,000,000 youth and children globally who will never won a pair of shoes.  We provide relief to hurting people displaced due to poverty, ravaging wars and religious persecution. We demonstrate compassion by washing and equipping their feet with shoes and touching their hearts with the love of God. Our mission is to place over 10,000,000 pairs on shoes on 10,000,000 impoverished children in 10 years.