Restored Hearts and Soles Foundation considers disbanding due to volunteer shortage
For nearly 10 years now, the Restored Hearts and Soles Foundation has provided shoes and socks to students in need across Garvin and Murray Counties. But with a new school year quickly approaching, the Garvin County-based charity is experiencing a critical shortage of volunteers which has led to a discussion among its officers of whether to dissolve the foundation.
During the 2022-2023 school year, the organization served 319 students, providing each with a pair of new shoes and a week’s worth of socks. It also served 71 girls with prom dresses through its 2023 prom closet.
While the annual prom closet regularly draws enough volunteers to work the weekend event, RHSF Vice President Ashley Brumley said the foundation has been operating with a core group of about eight volunteers who handle shoe pick-ups and deliveries, planning and administrative tasks, in addition to raising families and holding fulltime jobs of their own.
“The more volunteers we have, it really helps spread the work out and prevents burnout,” Brumley said. “Our problem is not money; it’s having enough volunteers.”
The foundation currently accepts referrals from area schools, identifying student needs. Shoes are purchased and delivered directly to the school usually within 7-10 days. Brumley said one of the foundation’s current needs is volunteers who are available to deliver shoes during school hours.
The foundation is also for volunteers who are willing to take on administrative and leadership roles.
The group is asking anyone interested in volunteering to contact the foundation through Facebook messenger at “Restored Hearts and Soles Foundation” or by email at restoredheartsandsoles@ gmail.com.
The Restored Hearts and Soles Foundation’s next meeting is July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Recreation Center, 1005 N. Willow in Pauls Valley. The meeting will serve to gauge volunteer interest in continuing the foundation’s work. Anyone interested in volunteering and continuing the mission of the foundation is strongly encouraged to attend.