The Pratt Community College volleyball program is hosting their third annual Samaritan's Feet shoes and equipment drive. The event will be a focal point of the team's contest against Dodge City Community College on Oct. 22. The coaches and staff will work barefoot during the match to raise awareness for the cause.
Samaritan's Feet is a charity organization that looks to provide impoverished children in countries around the world with donations of clothing, shoes and sports equipment. The organization makes a special emphasis on providing shoes due to the high number of children who suffer from infectious diseases through contaminated soil. The program donates heavily to countries in the continent of Africa.
PCC volleyball has sponsored the drive the previous two years and looks to raise donations and awareness through their efforts. The drive was brought to PCC by Head Volleyball Coach Jenny Mueller.
"I was introduced to the Samaritan's Feet program by Ibraheem Seberu years ago. Seberu is a former mentor of mine in both volleyball and coaching in general. He is a retired volleyball coach from Pittsburg State University and a native of Nigeria. This program has been very meaningful to him as it helps kids from countries that are less fortunate than we are in the United States," said Mueller. "We don't often think about how good we have it here. This is a way for us to help children who are underprivileged.
A donation on game day will grant free admission. The college will be accepting new or gently used athletic uniforms, sports equipment, balls, socks and shoes. Spectators are welcome to attend the contest barefoot as well.
Those unable to attend the event can still contribute. Donation boxes will be placed at the Pratt Municipal Building, Blythe Family Fitness, Skyline High School and Liberty Middle School in Pratt, Kan.
Anyone who is interested in the Samaritan's Feet cause or looking to host a donations drive themselves can find more information at samaritansfeet.org
