News

Putting a best foot forward

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Donations accepted to ship shoes The approximate cost to ship one, four-pound box is $20. Monetary donations are being accepted to help offset the shipping costs. To make a donation, send checks payable to SFA St. Clare Society and send it to: c/o St. Clare Society, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 1121 N. 14th St., Manitowoc, WI 54220.

MANITOWOC -- Collecting more than 1,000 pairs of shoes by simply running three parish bulletin announcements may surprise some, but not Mary Graczyk of the St. Clare Society at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

"I knew people would respond," she said. "We have a very giving, very generous, very kind faith community."

The St. Clare Society collected new and gently used shoes for children and adults in Afghanistan. An Army master sergeant spoke at a recent society meeting about the needs of the Afghani people in the mountain regions.

"She spoke about how there is a code when they come into a village," said Graczyk. "When they find out the Americans are there, they come out in flocks to see what they brought them. The people didn't have any shoes. I thought, hey, this is a good project for us."

Collection bins were placed in the parish office, at the Faith Formation Center, St. Francis de Sales School, St. Francis Xavier School and St. Frances Cabrini Middle School.

"Fr. Dan (Felton, pastor) suggested that we put collection bins in the schools," said Carol Jebavy, who offered her garage as the shoe storage location. "Every day that we would go to the schools, the bins were full."

"It was nice that the children were involved," said Ginny Oswald, a St. Clare Society member, "Sr. Renae (Delvaux, pastoral associate) told me that one little boy from religious ed brought in shoes and he was so excited to help. He had a big smile on his face."

The shoes of various styles and sizes filled Jebavy's garage. Women from the St. Clare Society packed the shoes in approximately four-pound boxes for donation through Operation Care.

"We have many new shoes," said Graczyk. "Some people bought shoes just for this collection. Many of the shoes we received look as though they were only worn once or twice. I think we are going to make a lot of people very happy."

The St. Clare Society, which meets the second Thursday of each month, is primarily a service organization.

"We do a lot of fund-raisers," said Jebavy. "I head up our rummage and bake sales. We donate the money to the church. This is our biggest project so far. We work hard, but we also have a good time."

The parishes in Manitowoc merged in 2005 to form St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The St. Clare Society was the first organization established at the new parish, she added.

Parishioner Kelly Shariff credits Graczyk for her leadership in the shoe collection.

"Mary really got this going," she said. "She does so much for other people. She not only inspires me, but she also inspires my kids. She's my son's confirmation sponsor. Both of my boys have learned so much and do so much service because of her. Mary's father (Norbert 'Nubs' Graczyk) died recently. Many people gave money for postage for this project as a tribute to her dad and for all Mary does for other people."

"We need to serve people outside Manitowoc County," said Graczyk. "No matter how people feel about what is happening in the world today, we have to help each other. We are on this earth to help each other."

A chaplain service assists with the distribution of the shoes in Afghanistan.