The 12th annual Shoes for Orphan Souls collection has been initiated in Gordon County for the month of August.

Gordon County residents have an opportunity to drop of new shoes, new socks and shoelaces to the Gordon County drop off point at Prater Ford, located at 705 S. Wall Street in Calhoun until August 31.

Prater Ford has worked with the Shoes For Orphans Souls for more than 10 years and is hoping residents will donate again this year.

The project will distribute shoes to orphans all over the world, and since 1993, the project has given away more than 2.3 million shoes to orphaned children in more than 74 countries and five continents.

A Christian ministry, Shoes For Orphans Souls project orchestrated by Buckner International pooled in 30,178 new pairs of shoes, 41,579 pairs of new socks and 555 pairs of shoelaces. The donations were pooled to Dallas, Texas by U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., of Chattanooga.

From the Shoes for Orphans Souls home warehouse in Dallas, the donations are sent to orphanages all over the world by way of volunteers who travel to each orphanage to ensure the children receive the donations.

While traveling, the volunteers witness to the young children whom they deliver shoes to about Christianity.

Shoe sizes that are in highest demand are for sizes Youth 1 – Adult 7. Special photos and notes may be placed inside the shoes for the children who receive the shoes. Socks and shoelaces donations are accepted as well. All donations may be dropped off at Prater Ford before or by August 31.

For more information about Shoes for Orphans Souls contact 1-866-774-SHOE(7463) or visit buckner.org/shoes or email at shoesfororphanssouls@buckner.org. Additional information may also be found on facebook.com/shoesfororphansouls.