Ensworth Partners with Non-Profits for Ongoing Relief

10/9/2017

In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the Ensworth community responded with a three-pronged approach consisting of action, education, and understanding.

Both the High School and Lower/Middle School Campus had donation points in their main lobbies. Over the course of three weeks, students donated 104 pairs of new shoes to Soles4Souls and $433 of their own money to Habitat for Humanity’s “Habitat Hammers Back” hurricane relief campaign.

Buddy Teaster, Soles4Souls’ Chief Executive Officer and Ensworth parent, spoke to a special assembly in Frist Hall last Thursday about how the charity operates. The non-profit provides short-term relief by providing shoes to those recovering from disasters. And in the long-term, Soles4Souls’ micro-enterprise solution provides entrepreneurs a steady stream of product to end the cycle of poverty in developing nations.

Students learned how a pair of shoes, which most take for granted, can also prevent many diseases. Additionally, when people donate shoes, it keeps usable shoes out of landfills.

And in the weeks leading up to next week's Homecoming Dance, the High School Service Club is selling corsages and boutonnieres for hurricane relief. The annual sale benefits a student-selected non-profit that addresses local needs. Service Club faculty sponsor explains: "This year, the officers of the club decided to go national and donate to Puerto Rico since that disaster is particularly pressing and on everyone's hearts and minds."

The project's leaders, Caroline Seitz and Ellie Sipe, researched organizations that would make best use of the donation and decided on Save the Children's Hurricane Maria Children's Relief Fund.