Two-hundred sixty-eight children in east Gainesville received brand new tennis shoes and socks thanks to Samaritan’s Feet International, an organization that provides shoes to the needy.

The shoe giveaway included a feet washing ceremony and shoe fitting by volunteers from PASSAGE Family Church, Faith Presbyterian Church, Grace at Fort Clarke United Methodist Church, and parents from Prime Time After School Tutoring.

Pastor Denny Heiberg, pastor of Grace at Fort Clarke United Methodist Church, said the shoe event was held in conjunction with Faith in Action Weekend, a program where church volunteers go into the community to do service projects.

“We serve our community as we’re worshiping God,” said Pastor Heiberg, adding the shoe event at Prime Time was one of several community service projects done last weekend as part of Faith in Action Weekend.

Ron Pegram, chief of operations for the office of Samaritan’s Feet International in South Carolina, said other organizations give shoes, but the uniqueness of Samaritan’s Feet is that every person receiving the shoes gets their feet washed. “The feet washing gives us 8-10 minutes to tell the children they’re special,” said Pegram. “Shoes wear out but the massage, we hope, will last a lifetime.”

Pastor Heiberg, and Pastor Laurie Vidal of Faith Presbyterian Church also participated in the feet washing ceremony. “This is what Jesus did. He washed the feet of his disciples,” said Pastor Vidal. “If it’s good for Jesus it’s good for us.”

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