Local Kids Volunteer Time to Help Russian Orphans; Buckner Kicks-off Back-to-school Shoe Drive At Valley View Center.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 1999--

August is the time for back-to-school shopping, as parents and kids rush the malls to get new school supplies, backpacks, clothes -- and shoes. This year youth volunteers will ask back-to-school shoppers to consider picking up an extra pair of shoes for Russian orphans in need.

Valley View Center will open its doors to the "Shoes for Russian Souls" program sponsored by Buckner International Services and Children's Hope Chest with a Back-to-School Shoe Drive on Aug. 5-8. Shoppers will have the opportunity to donate new shoes, shoelaces or socks, or a combination of the three for children ages 2 to 18. Individuals making a donation will also have the opportunity to include a card or picture to make the donation more personal for the child receiving the shoes. The drive will be supported in part by young volunteers wanting to help children in other countries.

"Many children in Russian orphanages today are wearing shoes that are literally falling apart on their feet," said Amy Norton, director of Buckner International Services for Children. "Orphanages are not receiving enough money to care for the children's basic needs. With the help of organizations like Valley View Center, who are making donations of time and resources to create awareness of this cause, we can make a difference in the lives of these children."

Due to customs regulations, only new shoes can be sent to Russia. All new shoe and sock donations are needed, but the greatest need is for winter or warm shoes. Many of the children will receive only one pair of shoes to last through the year.

"Shoes are something we often take for granted. Buckner is making a difference by collecting these shoes and distributing them to Russian orphanages," said Darla Parker, regional marketing director for Valley View Center. "We feel this is an important project, and by hitting the back-to-school shopping period, we hope to help Buckner meet their goal of providing shoes to at least 10,000 Russian orphans."

According to a USA TODAY report, the 1998 budget for one of the Russian orphanages turned out to be enough to cover only worker's salaries and half of the food budget. Clothes and toys are left to the generosity of organizations and private donations. Russian officials now say that more than 625,000 children have been abandoned and are in desperate need of help.

Valley View Center will host the kick-off Aug. 5-8, but people can continue to drop shoes off at the "Shoes for Russian Souls" mall location through August 31. Volunteers will be collecting shoes from noon-9 p.m. during the week and during mall hours on the weekends. Area churches and schools will also participate in the drive.

The "Shoes for Russian Souls" project was started in 1994 by Ron Harris of KCBI Radio in Dallas. The project has grown to become an annual event providing more than 5,000 pairs of shoes for Russian orphans. All of the shoes, shoelaces and socks collected this year will be shipped to Russia. A team of volunteers will travel to Russia to distribute the shoes in orphanages from Nov. 11-21.

Buckner International Services for Children brings together the expertise and resources of individuals and organizations to offer a world of hope for disadvantaged children in other countries. "Shoes for Russian Souls" is one of many projects the organization carries out each year.

For information on the "Shoes for Russian Souls" Back-to-School Shoe Drive at Valley View Center, call 972/661-2424. For more information on Buckner International Services for Children, call 214/388-1442.