Little Soles

Mission Statement

Little Soles — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:02:23 GMT

The goal of Little Soles is to bring about changes of the heart to not only the hearts of women who may be contemplating an abortion, but also the hearts of men who may be encouraging them to have an abortion. We are interested in affecting people of all ages with a greater respect for life. In addition, we also reach out to women who may have been misled and are now struggling after having an abortion. We want them to know that there is hope and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

History

Little Soles — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:47:22 GMT

How We Got Started

The inspiration for the Little Soles Display came after viewing a similar display seen at a Lenten retreat in Vandalia, Illinois in March 2001. The display was a collection of 4,000 shoes in a huge pile and was brought to Vandalia by pro-life supporters from Boone County Iowa. To see that many shoes in a pile and to realize that each shoe represented an abortion that takes place in the United States each day is overwhelming!

It made such an impact on the founders of the Little Soles display project, Rosemary O’Connor and Ron Van Tassel of Kankakee, that they decided to begin work on their own collection of baby shoes, sizes 0-3, to circulate throughout the Midwest.

How We've Grown

How does one come up with 4,000 pairs of baby shoes? Behind this project is the story of where the shoes have come from. Initially, a letter was sent to local churches and individuals. The designated collection points were the Birthright office, St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin of Tours Catholic Churches, and the Love Christian Center in Kankakee Illinois. Next, a mass mailing was done to churches in Kankakee and Will Counties and Catholic schools.

Donated shoes have not arrived in huge quantities at one time. Most often shoes have been sent a few pairs at a time. Shoes have been sent by children, individuals, church groups, councils of Catholic women, and families. One single mother of two children who frequented garage sales made it her mission to find shoes to contribute. Over a summer she contributed 140 shoes. Shoes have come from as far away as Los Angeles, California; Estes Park, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; and from all over Illinois.

Collecting shoes can be a positive opportunity to talk about abortion, adoption, and reverence for life at all ages. Those who might not otherwise have a venue for this discussion are able to talk to those at garage sales, resale shops, and to family members and friends.

After handling the shoes while setting up and taking down the display, one begins to relate to the shoes and can readily recognize new shoes which have been added to the pile while on display at a location. One cannot but help thinking about who wore the scuffed shoes and what has become of the person who outgrew them. Just think about your favorite pair of shoes, of seeing your loved one’s shoes by the door, or of the difficult task of disposing of a loved one’s shoes after they are deceased.

The current count is 3,399 shoes.

Special Shoes

Little Soles — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:45:43 GMT

Among the collection there are some special shoes with special stories.

One anonymous donor left a single antique shoe with a hand written note attached stating, "even the poor care about God’s little ones."

One sad grandparent donated two sets of shoes – a pair for a girl with a girl’s name tucked inside and one for a boy with a boy’s name tucked inside. She related that her grandchild was aborted and these were the names that had been selected for the child.

Another grandparent donated a pair of shoes from her living grandchild. The grandparent's daughter became pregnant while receiving radiation for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She chose to discontinue the chemo therapy and all treatment in order to save the child's life, against her doctor's advice to abort the baby. This young mother died when the baby was nine months old.

Another notable donation was a shoe for a handicapped child with a brace.

View the Display

Little Soles — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:41:19 GMT

Upcoming Events

Little Soles — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:45:46 GMT

May 3-17
Christ the King Catholic Church
Lombard, IL

PAST EVENTS

April 14
Adrian College
Adrian, Michigan

February 9-23
Holy Family Catholic Church
Rockford, IL

Raising up a New Generation
The Little Soles Display will be featured this weekend at the following event:

SpeakOut Illinois 2008 Conference
Saturday, February 2
8:30 a.m to 3 p.m.
Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL

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Pro-life student group Jus Vitae will welcome the Little Soles Display to the Valparaiso University Law School.

The display will be in the school atrium January 20-26.

Little Soles at the VU Law School.

The student group will also host the following event:

35 Years of Roe v. Wade: Commemorate or Commiserate?
January 22, 7-9 pm
Valparaiso University Christopher Center Library Building

At Valparaiso University on January 22, there will be a discussion about the legal history of abortion in the USA and the impact of the Roe v. Wade opinion. January 22 will mark 35 years of legalized abortion-on-demand in this country. Participating in this event is Pro-Life student group Jus Vitae who will be represented by two prominent guests, Clarke Forsythe and Paige Cunningham. Clarke is the president of Americans United for Life and a leading expert on the law and abortion. Paige is a bioethicist, law professor, and author who has appeared on TV and radio numerous times. This forum is part of the Conversations series at the university and is intended to generate healthy discussion about controversial social topics. The event is free and open to the public and Jus Vitae would gladly appreciate the support of all local Pro-Lifers.

Questions can be directed to jusvitae2007@gmail.com

How to Help

Little Soles — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:18:29 GMT

The Little Soles Display needs your help. If you are interested in assisting us, the following is a list of needs:

An enclosed pull behind cargo trailer.

Benefactors to assist with monetary costs to move the display and the cost of trailer insurance.

Volunteers willing to take the display and schedule it at various locations in their area.

Prayer for God's will for Little Soles and that those who see the display will know the truth.

Shoe collectors. This can be a pro-life project for your classroom, Sunday School, Catechism, Parish, Youth group, Respect Life group, or other Church groups.

Shoe donors. Send used or new shoes, sizes 0-3, fastened together with a zip tie, if possible.

Please send donations or shoes to:
St. Rose of Lima
Attention: Little Soles
486 W. Merchant St.
Kankakee, Illinois 60901

For more information about our needs, please email us at littlesolesdisplay@gmail.com.

Testimonials

Little Soles — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:21:54 GMT

Do you have a personal story to share? Would you like to tell us how abortion or adoption has impacted your life?

Let us hear from you.

Email us at littlesolesdisplay@gmail.com