Share H2OPE - September 8, 2012, Cocktail Dinner, Raffle, Live and Silent Auctions

Shoeman Water Projects, the passion of Ballwin’s own George Hutchings, is hosting  SHARE H2OPE, a fund raising dinner and auction on September 8, from 6:30 – 9:30 pm  at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac.  You’ve probably seen signs around town for shoe donations that turn shoes into clean drinking water.  Perhaps you wondered what happened to the shoes that are gathered and just how shoes can become clean water.  George and his co-workers labor tirelessly, collecting shoes that are recycled in markets such as Africa and South America.  These shoes are sold to entrepreneurs, providing an opportunity for individuals to earn an income by selling the shoes at their local market.  The sale of these shoes provide a source for affordable foot wear in countries where people would otherwise be bare footed and exposed to various hazards, including soil borne diseases.  The money received by The Shoeman funds drilling and water purification systems in Kenya and Haiti, providing clean water for villages.  Without these wells and water systems, the village women have to walk miles to collect water from sources that are contaminated, exposing themselves and their families to water borne diseases such as cholera.  This video provides dramatic evidence of the impact of the wells drilled by Shoeman Water Projects.   Can you imagine getting up at 3 am, walking 6 to 8 miles a day, every day, bare footed, to collect water from a source shared by cattle and other animals? 

George’s vision stresses employment of local villagers, teaching them skills such as pump maintenance that provides employment, not a hand out.   His vision is one of partnership and the creation of jobs and healthier environments that live on after he returns to Missouri.

 There are many ways you can help – donate shoes, attend the event, be an event sponsor, or provide a donation for the live or silent auction.  Call Mary Powers, 636-542-2387, at The Shoeman’s office to donate an item for the auction or to purchase event tickets.  Auction items donated to date include quite a few unique objects ranging from a Kenyan hand carved bowl  to a Haitian Fishing Boat Painting.  Hope to see you at the dinner and auction September 8!  It’s going to be lots of fun!