“Kicks for Kids” puts shoes on feet of low-income schoolchildren

By KATIE KENNEDY, Advocate staff writer
Published: Jul 25, 2010 - Page: 1B
 
Click here to donate to 2013 Kicks for Kids Back to School Shoe Program.
 
As Zelda Carter and her family entered the Payless Shoe Store on Florida Boulevard on Saturday, Carter immediately hugged the two people standing nearest the door.
“This is such a blessing,” Carter told Deacon Richard Grant of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and Carol Spruell of Catholic Charities, as they laughed along with her.
Carter’s 4-year-old granddaughter was among the nearly 1,000 school-aged children to receive a free, new pair of shoes during the third annual “Kicks for Kids” Back to School program.
“It was coming close to the start of school, and a lot of parents were wondering where they were going to get the money,” Carter said. “This just gives me chills I’m so thankful.”
Grant said several local charities provided school supplies and uniforms for area schoolchildren, but there were no resources to help put new shoes on their feet.
“A lot of kids start the school year in their brother or sister’s hand-me-downs,” Grant said. “But their classmates will have a brand-new pair of shoes to show off. That’s important to kids.”
With the donations from Our Lady of Mercy parishioners, Grant teamed up with Catholic Charities and Payless to fill that void.

Baton Rouge Catholics Show Care & Concern for Littlest Victims

Catholic church parishes collected baby supplies for families affected by the oil spill.

Teens help load donated baby goods for delivery
July 15, 2010 – NEW ORLEANS, La – As families continue to feel the effects of stress and anxiety over the Gulf oil tragedy, the Catholic community in the Diocese of Baton Rouge turned their attention to the littlest victims by holding a baby supply drive throughout the church parishes.  The items were delivered today to Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse to then be distributed to families in need along the Gulf Coast.

Catholic Charities warns against adopting Haitian Orphans too soon

Adoption experts says adoption not the best crisis response
January 19, 2010—Baton Rouge, LA—Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR)—the area’s only Hague-accredited agency for international adoptions—cautions families trying to adopt Haitian orphans at this time. Catholic Charities agencies nationwide have fielded calls from compassionate people interested in adopting Haitian children.

Catholic Charities urge delay in adopting Haitian children

Saiward Pharr, WRKF (2010-01-27)

Click here to listen to the interview.

BATON ROUGE, LA (wrkf) - As people in the United States look for ways to help people in Haiti after the devastating earthquake on January 12th, there has been a surge in interest in adopting Haitian children. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is urging people to delay adopting Haitian children for the time being, and focus instead on relief efforts. Paula Davis is a licensed clinical social worker who handles international adoptions with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. She joins WRKF's Saiward Pharr in the studio to discuss the unique concerns with Haitian adoption right now. © Copyright 2010, wrkf 

To find out more about adoptions, click here to send an email or here to visit Catholic Charities Adoption website.

Todd Hamilton's News From American Samoa

Tuesday November 3, 2009--Any temporary duty assignment assumes its own unique version of normalcy. The passage of time is perceived differently. It’s a strange form of bipolar disorder to think in two different time zones simultaneously. My work days in American Samoa are somewhat longer than at home. I wake up hearing the roosters, really, and am showered and downstairs at 6 to boil water. French press. Espresso. That’s breakfast to me. Yogurt is rare on the island, and milk, from New Zealand, is not always available. My first work hour is email with coffee. Home is now 5 hours ahead so it’s late morning for you by the time I read your overnight messages.

Click here to donate to the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response in American Samoa.  

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