The 31st annual Shoe Party for the Mentally Ill

My name is Douglas Adkins, 31 years ago this year I had a call with a local mom named Hattie Morris from Fernandina Beach. She was actively involved in advocating for persons with mental illness since her son Doug also struggled with a mental health condition. She asked me "Doug, what can we do as a community to help impact the lives of the residents?" Now for the last 34 years I have been the Administrator at Dayspring Village, located in Hilliard. We have cared for over 4000 adults with serious mental illness in the last 34 yrs. I told Hattie who was at home at the time to sit down and take the laces out of her shoes and walk around the house while I was on the phone. Hattie did exactly what I requested and she soon discovered how cumbersome and difficult it was to manage her feet without the shoe laces. I explained to Hattie that when residents go to the hospital they take away the shoe laces and they often do not get them back. Perhaps more important is that many of the adults with mental illness struggle to obtain adequate foot wear and often their shoes are worn out, broken or otherwise ill fitting. The simple truth is that recovery and dignity is impacted by shoes in more ways than what we realize and there is no happier day for anyone than the day they slip on a new pair of shoes that fit them. Recently I was advised that the local Nassau County Alliance for the Mentally Ill would no longer be interested in sponsoring this program which is an annual Christmas Party centered around the gift of new shoes and sharing the gift of Christmas which is love and compassion. This special community project has faithfully served the needs of over 100 adults with mental illness whop otherwise would not have the means to purchase new shoes themselves. The personal needs allowance for these residents is $54/month and often between their incidentals there is never enough to help with a new pair of shoes. A new pair of shoes with velcro straps will cost between $19 to $24/pair - the simple math is we need to raise from the community $3200 - the remaining funds are used to support the actual event and other related items such as socks and undergarments. The continuation of this important program can only happen with people from the community and their financial support. All of the money donated will be deposited in the resident's account and we will work with our volunteers to get the shoes purchased and wrapped for the party. We hope you will decide to keep this special project of support ongoing here in Northeast Florida. We would be grateful for any amount and the contribution you make will go a long way to making the lives of these 125 adults with serious mental illness better and perhaps put a new spring into their step this Christmas holiday. God Bless You - Mark Chapter 5 KJV - MERRY CHRISTMAS!