by Karina Brady, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University’s school of nursing is discovering what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus by fitting shoes on the feet of needy children in the Miami Valley.
The school of nursing is volunteering with Shoes 4 the Shoeless, a faith-based, nonprofit ministry that distributes new socks and shoes for children in need throughout the Dayton area. Nursing faculty and students at Cedarville are focusing on children in Springfield elementary schools.
According to Shoes 4 the Shoeless, nearly 41 percent of children in Montgomery County live in poverty, and many of them lack properly fitted gym shoes. Their mission is to meet this need for disadvantaged children as part of the effort to fight the physical, emotional and social problems that accompany poverty. They have delivered more than 50,000 pairs of shoes and socks to date in the Dayton area.
The school of nursing will volunteer on 10 different days from now until February to measure children’s shoe sizes and help them choose the perfect new pair of shoes. The volunteers will visit the following 10 Springfield city schools:
● Warder Park-Wayne Elementary School - November 30
● Perrin Woods Elementary School - December 7
● Lincoln Elementary School - December 14
● Snyder Park Elementary School - January 11
● Lagonda Elementary School - January 25
● Snowhill Elementary School - February 1
“We are excited about the opportunity for the school of nursing to put love into action in such a practical and meaningful way,” said Dr. Kim Higginbotham, assistant dean and director of graduate programs at Cedarville.
The shoe campaign fits perfectly with the school of nursing’s vision of loving others well. According to Dr. Angelia Mickle, the dean and associate professor of nursing, coming alongside Shoes 4 the Shoeless is a great way for students studying nursing to love others well.
“Scripture tells us we are to love others and care for those in need. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus by helping children meet a basic need,” said Mickle. “My heart was led toward this as an excellent outreach ministry for school of nursing faculty to adopt. I also see this as an excellent opportunity for faculty and nursing students to serve together.”
“There are people in our community who have significant needs, and what better way to demonstrate love than to help meet some of those very basic needs,” said Higginbotham.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.