Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Miller.
Hi Kara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I would say our story really began in 2013. I cleaned out my children’s closets and I was carrying around 2 large bags of shoes and clothes in my trunk that I still had not dropped off at the local donation center. With the greatest of intentions I had put those bags in my car at least 2 weeks earlier, but as single mom life has it, especially when you live in a rural area like I did at the time, donation centers are actually a planned trip!
On this particular day, my life as an itinerant teacher was calm. I was not late between my schools and noticed those bags when I exited my car. After my lesson with my student, I had some time to stop by the nurse and ask if she could use the clothes for extras. She welcomed the donation. I thought I had won the jackpot because it saved me a trip to town! When I returned to my car and pulled out the clothes, I remembered the shoes. I still had an entire bag of shoes! Feeling slightly defeated because my trunk wasn’t empty yet, but glad that the clothes were going to used for a good purpose, I headed back inside.
We chatted for a moment as I dropped off the clothes and I mentioned I had the bag of shoes in the car. She started to cry. I immediately thought I had insulted her somehow. I explained that it is no big deal. I can run to town to drop these off sometime or they can just stay in my trunk a little longer. I had no idea what was going on. She stopped me and said, “No, that isn’t it at all. We desperately need shoes all of the time.” She proceeded to tell me stories of children who came to school with no shoes and how they were not prepared to handle that. Not ONE child but CHILDREN….
This changed my donation routine. I started donating all of my children’s clothes and shoes to the schools I served. I started asking my friends to donate their children’s clothes and shoes to school nurses. Before I purged, I asked the nurses, “What is your greatest need?”
In 2015, I was still traveling and loving my job. I was still cleaning out my children’s closets and donating to the nurses. Each school had a different vibe, a different atmosphere and different needs. Then one day everything changed again….
One particular day, I rushed into one of my schools and the air was light. The bliss was tangible. I slowed down to soak it in….the parents in the office and the office staff were gleeful. I paused as I signed in and inquired about the specialness of the day. One of the ladies said, “A church adopted our school. All of our children are getting new shoes TODAY!” Her excitement was contagious.
I walked down the hallway and began to see the children. There was quiet, eager chatter creating a hum and the children were beaming. There was a glow.
I made it to my student and he had not yet had his turn to go receive his new shoes. I rescheduled.
As I left the building and the overflowing joy behind, I spoke to God in the quiet parking lot. I told Him, somebody needs to do that in Pelion.
Before I made it to my car, it was very much impressed on me that I should do it. As every person in their right mind would do, I said absolutely not. I do not have time for that. I tried to carry on my day, but God would not let it go. Matthew West’s song played each time I got in my car…you know the one…”Do Something.”
That song wasn’t playing on the radio often anymore. BUT that day…that day, I heard it at least 5 times in the next 3 hours. Then I ended my workday and arrived home. I continued praying about the shoes. I made a deal with God because again…that is just what you do! I said, “If the principal agrees and if my church backs me, I will do it.”
That began our SOLE Stepping adventure in 2016. We started at Pelion Elementary School that year and have grown to 59 schools on our waiting list and we have gifted more than 15,000 pairs of shoes since that first year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles and challenges are part of our every day!
We have received a lot of naysayers…the ones who say it can’t be done…especially the first year!
When asking for money, shoes, and overall support, we receive a lot of no’s. That can be frustrating and discouraging, but I firmly believe that those who need to be involved will be involved.
Our biggest challenge now is space. We have outgrown our current storage shed and we are in the process of renovating a garage into additional storage space, but when we gather to prepare shoes for distribution, we still are working out of our home. The current storage areas are not temperature stable because they do not have heating or air, so this limits the length of time shoes are able to be stored.
St. David’s Lutheran Church in Lexington and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in West Columbia have graciously loaned us space so we are able to store and bag our used shoes for recycling to earn funds for new shoes and also for overflow storage space that we use for the prepared shoes in the fall.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
SOLE Stepping is a local non-profit who gifts new socks and shoes to all students in underserved elementary schools. We never want a child left out or a child singled out.
We collaborate with the sponsored school to gather shoes sizes and any special needs. Our volunteers prepare individualized gift bags for each child. On Distribution Day, each child is paired with a volunteer until they find just the right pair of shoes!
I am most proud that we a small but mighty organization. I know of no other organization that is able to reach as many children as we have reached without a permanent and dedicated storage and preparation location and without any full-time employees. SOLE Stepping is a passion project that continues to grow in volunteers and in children served.
We are set apart from others because giving the gift of encouragement is just as important as the shoes themselves. Our volunteers work to really see and really hear our children. I know it is valuable because when I am in the community and receive high-fives and hugs, I know SOLE Stepping has made a difference. When the children introduce me, they call me “The Shoe Lady.” It is a title that I am honored to hold.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people do not know that I am a single parent and I work a full-time job in addition to SOLE Stepping.
Pricing:
- $25 to sponsor a child
- $50 to sponsor specialty shoes
- $750 to sponsor a class
- $3750.00 to sponsor a grade level
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.solestepping.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=sole%20stepping
