The following FAQ is provided to help you with answers to your questions regarding the “10,000 Pair in 10 Months” Project that we are conducting in partnership with Remember-the-Children. We will be updating this FAQ regularly. For further information, please contact Remember the Children. Contact information here.
How can I get more information regarding RTC and the shoe project?
Visit RTC’s web page, which can be accessed here.
Are donations to Remember the Children tax deductible?
Yes. RTC is a 501(c)3 organization.
Is it better to send money or to send shoes?
There are advantages to either. The advantage to sending money for shoes is that you do not have to deal with shipping the shoes. Money that is collected via this project will be used in part to purchase shoes in Romania and thus stimulate Romania’s struggling economy.
However, there is something to be said for actually shopping for, buying and shipping shoes. Many people are reporting that they are enjoying that process.
I would suggest that if you have children that there is value in actually buying and shipping shoes as it gives your children a tangible experience of helping other people. Some are using this project as an opportunity to teach their kids about Romania- history, geography- as well as to teach them about the length of their reach to bless others.
How will RTC be able to ship so many shoes? Will there not be a great expense in doing that?
RTC has been involved in this kind of ministry for over 15 years. Their experience in doing this kind of work has afforded them many opportunities to know the best ways to ship materials to Romania. RTC partners with certain shippers and also receives specific donations to help defray the costs of shipping.
However, there is an expense to doing this kind of thing. If you would like to help, specify your financial donation as a shipping donation. And, if possible, include a dollar or two with each pair of shoes you send to RTC.
Where should I send my donation?
Remember the Children; 2611 W. 16th Street; Bedford, Indiana 47421
Phone: 410-877-7158
How will these shoes be distributed?
Remember the Children works through local churches and ministries. Shoes will be provided to local churches and other local ministries who will pass along the shoes. RTC is involved in that process and is witness to it. However, RTC’s philosophy is to work through and support local, Romanian ministries to accomplish its tasks.
Doesn’t this sort of thing hurt local businesses and economies?
To be sure, ministries have not always been as sensitive to that as they could have been. RTC in no way desires or intends to hurt local business or economy. That is one reason why money that is collected via this project will be used in part to purchase shoes in Romania.
RTC is committed to using wisdom in distributing these shoes and will not simply “blanket” an area with shoes. Again, RTC, in partnership with local Romanian ministries and churches, knows the ropes when it comes to wisely handling these kinds of opportunities.
Shoes will be distributed primarily in rural areas where there is very little “local economy” and certainly no shoe stores. The people who will be receiving these shoes simply do not have easy, if any, access to such products. Many do not have the financial means to purchase shoes even if they did have access.
These shoes are going to desperately poor (and often neglected) people.
