He's a man on a mission and he needs your support.
Vic Hamer, who currently resides in Illinois but has strong Yorkton ties, is in Yorkton this week and he wants your shoes.
Moved by an effort started up in 1998 by George "the Shoeman" Hutchings, Hamer is collecting shoes to bring water to impoverished nations.
The founder of Shoeman Water Projects, Hutchings - along with the help of people like Hamer - is working to collect shoes which are then sold to fund water projects for people in need. Representatives of Shoeman pick up donated used and new shoes year round from businesses, churches, schools, special events and shoe drives. Once collected, the shoes are given a second life when the Shoeman exports the donated shoes to retailers in the developing world. The resale of shoes provides jobs and affordable footwear. Affordable shoes are a life saving tool as they protect the new owner's feet and overall health from foot abrasions, parasites and mites.
Also, funds generated from the export of the shoes provide well drilling rigs, water purification systems, and hand pump repair micro businesses bringing clean, fresh water to those who thirst.
Hamer will personally be travelling to Kenya to drill a well this January. He has seen first hand the devastation and he's made it his mission to help.
To lend your support, drop off any shoes you may have to the Rock Radio Station by noon this Friday. Donations are also being accepted at the Parkland Mall (today) Thursday.
If you happen to miss the deadline, contact Hamer via email at: [email protected] to see how you can get involved.
