Concert Collects More than Shoes

By Analiz González
Buckner International

Click here to view a slideshow of photos from this event (on Shoes For Orphan Souls website)

DALLAS –Radio listeners throughout North Texas donated more than 4,000 pairs of shoes during the first ever Sole-d out Concert on Sept. 29 at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid. 

The free event, sponsored by Dallas-based KVTT, attracted more than 1,000 people to hear Christian performers Salvador, Susan Gray, Darrell Evans and Christian Ebner.

“We wanted to do something in the community that would benefit people around the world; not just in Dallas,” said Fletcher Anderson, president of KVTT. “And we know that giving shoes is something people can relate to.” 

Along with the performers, the event included tours of the Buckner warehouse and a variety of activities for children. Participants also had the opportunity to enter a drawing for a free mission trip to the Mexican border.

Fletcher credited the Buckner, KVTT collaboration to Doug Price, KVTT general manager. Price worked at KCBI from 1994-2000, when Shoes for Orphan Souls was called Shoes for Russian Souls.  

“When I became general manager of KVTT, I wanted people to know that for us, radio is a tool that we use to accomplish God’s purposes,” Price said. “Right now, we are broadcasting the event live and encouraging people to come out here, donate shoes and enjoy it. 

“This is the first time that Buckner has a local radio station doing something like this,” he added. “We’re all very excited about it.” 

Rachel Garton, director of Shoes for Orphan Souls, said she was thrilled to see the event come together. 

“After all the time and work that went into this, it’s just amazing to see the result,” Garton said. “People are over there with their arms raised and worshiping. There’s people in that tent praying and there are so many shoes coming in. I’m just so thankful for KVTT.”  

Performer Susan Gray, who spent most of her teenage years in foster care, said the Buckner mission hit home. Her father was a homeless man she never met. And her mother was in and out of the hospital until she died of sclerosis of the liver, leaving Gray without parents.

“Before I start singing, I want to tell everyone out here how much I believe in this thing,” Gray told the crowd. Then she prayed, “God, put in us the passion that you have for orphans.” 

Zion Pullman, 5, brought a bag of shoes he collected from his birthday party. After celebrating at a bowling ally, he had a final request: that his buddies bring new shoes for needy children. 

“There’s black ones and blue and then there’s the pink ones, ‘cause those are for girls,” he explained.  

Pullman’s aunt traveled on a Buckner mission trip last year distributing shoes to orphans in Kenya, his mom said. It encouraged the Pullmans to join in the effort. 
Linda Gardner, an event volunteer, said she lived at Buckner Children’s Home with her twin sister from age 13-17, after years of suffering abuse at the hands of her father. 

When she left Buckner, she moved to Kansas and never expected to come back. But a turn of events brought her to Dallas, and she jumped at the first opportunity she had to give back to Buckner.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for Buckner,” she said. “I consider it an honor to be here, that God can use my life. If he can use me even a little, that’s all that matters.”