Thank-you Sandra

Sandra and the Crocs that she has collected.

Sandra Paine of Red Rapids, New Brunswick has been collecting Crocs for the children in the Democratic Republic of Congo for several weeks now. She has collected 24 pairs of Crocs! Thank-you very much Sandra!



"I have become involved with gathering Crocs through knowing Dr. Wecker. This is a project that will provide a basic necessity to children who have nothing while giving me a lot of
pleasure. Convincing people to donate is half of the fun. There must be lots of Crocs that are outgrown and yet not worn out--I just have to find them! Help has come from my friends who are members of our square dance club. Thanks guys!!!! I just love helping children. To see their smiling faces is all the thanks anyone needs."
--Sandra Paine

Look at all these Crocs! Thanks Sandra!

When we get back from Congo in a few weeks, we will have some photos for you Sandra of many smiling faces wearing Crocs on their feet!!! Thank-you Sandra.

More Crocs!

DeLuca and I on our walk to pick up the crocs at Chinook!

Crocs in bags to carry home.

Crocs in collection bin at Chinook Elementary School.

Here comes some more croc shoes!

Chinook Elementary School has collected 9 pairs in the past few weeks. I walked over there with DeLuca (see Picture above) and picked up the collected crocs and brought them home. I will ship them to my brother in Boston who will store them for a few weeks. My Dad will fly out from Boston and so he will pick them up and take them over to the orphans on April 2nd. They are going to be so excited to get these shoes. You have no idea! These children have never had anything in their life and a pair of shoes even though it is important is just a luxury that they have never had until now.

THANK YOU CHINOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


While I was there the school secretary told me she had collected 14 or more pairs and they were at home so she will bring them in next week and I will pick them up and mail them then. So there are more on the way.

Thank you Glenda

Glenda (my Dad's cousin) in British Columbia, Canada has gotten involved in this project. She has been very generous and just sent 17 pairs of Crocs to my Dad so he can take them over in April. Here is a little about how she went about helping with our project:

"My mom and I take my house bound auntie, for lunch once a week. She loves to have something to look forward too and we enjoy spending some time with her. Last week, I told my mom and my auntie that I wanted to send some Crocs to Barry Wecker's ( my cousin) project for the children in Africa. They both quickly replied that they would like to help too. What fun it was to stop in at a local store and pick out some fun colours and sizes of the shoes. Both women love to help out with mission projects and, having been teachers in their working years, love to see children happy!"

Thanks again Esther, Beth and Glenda!

Thanks Kim

When I first started this project I posted some ads on craigslist asking for any donations of crocs anyone could spare and the first response I got was from Kim. She donated the little red crocs seen here on this orphans stuffed animal. Here is a little about Kim and her daughter:

“I found out about Crocs for Orphan Tots on Craigslist. My daughter had outgrown a pair of her crocs and being a social worker, I always look for ways to help others out. After her first pair was sent over, a picture of them on a beloved stuffed animal of a tot showed up on the blog. My daughter, Emily was so excited about it, that she decided to have her other pairs of crocs sent over too! I enjoy the idea of helping others and it allows my daughter to learn the same value.”

Above you can see pictures of her daughter enjoying her Crocs. Isn't she adorable!

Thanks Ariel.

My sister's friend Ariel has collected 10 pairs of crocs for the children. Way to go and thanks a million. She is a grad student in Florida. She has done an amazing job. Thank you!!!!!!!

Thanks Kathy!

My friend Kathy took this project to her School PTSA board meeting tonight and they voted to agree to help collect crocs for our project. So a BIG THANK YOU to Chinook Elementary School.

This is a lot of fun involving our local community in the larger world community. I will keep you updated on the progress of this school's involvement.

If you want to get your own school involved as well, no matter where your school is, just contact me and I will let you know what you can do. I will feature your school croc collection updates on the blog as well. The children from your school will be able to see their shoes put to good use when they arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Footwear Tasks!

Children's footwear in Africa is also going to be exposed to lots of wear and tear. Each of the children hope for one pair of footwear and this pair will be used, rain or shine; at work and at play.

These children carry water daily for they basic needs. If they need to go anywhere they walk as there are no vehicles for transportation. These children walk to school, they also try to fit in as much play in the day as they can. The sport of choice for most of the children is "football" (soccer). Most of the time soccer is played with a banana leaf ball that the children make themselves (see picture again).