288 pairs of shoes purchased for Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign

ANNA Ill. (KBSI) – Close to 300 pairs of children shoes purchased through the annual Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign have arrived and are ready for pick-up.

The shoes are available free of charge in sizes 7 toddler to 5 kids through the Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network (CMMHRN) in Anna, Arrowleaf in Vienna, and all Southern 7 Head Start locations. They will be given to children living in southern Illinois affected by abuse, neglect, disaster and family need. Children can get one pair of shoes without paperwork or proof of income required. Families are asked to call to make pick-up arrangements at a site closest to them.

This year’s annual campaign collected more than $4,300 to purchase 288 pairs of shoes.

Since the program began in 2022, the fundraiser has collected more than $15,000 and purchased more than 1,000 pairs of shoes. The Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign is a partnership between the nonprofit organization Operation Warm and WIBH Radio.

Donations were down from last year. However, the coordinators call this year’s campaign a success as many families in the region continue to struggle to make ends meet. Nearly 20% of southern Illinois children live in poverty.

“We are fortunate to live in a community that cares about the needs of others,” said Moury Bass, co-owner of WIBH. “That’s why we are using the voice of WIBH radio to let our listeners know that there are children in Southern Illinois who need new shoes.”

The Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign is an annual event each April and May. However, donations are collected throughout the year online at operationwarm.org/wibh. Shoes costs are kept at $15 a pair. This is possible through the support of Postal Pal in Anna who donates the shipping of the shoes to allow 100% of all donations to go directly to their purchase.

Other local businesses partnering with WIBH include Shawnee Mass Transit District and Duckworks Lawn Care who help deliver shoes to their distribution sites, and T&I Office Equipment in Anna who donates the printing of flyers used in outreach.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that creates new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need that partners with people and organizations across the United States to give a gift of warmth, confidence and hope to millions of children in need.