DALLAS – It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to live without shoes, but for many orphans and vulnerable children around the world, it’s a reality. And while new shoes are considered a luxury by some people, many children are forced to walk barefoot on rocky terrain or sewage-lined streets just to collect water for their families or play with their friends.

Buckner International's Shoes for Orphan Souls project is partnering with Air1 Radio in October to encourage support for Air1 and while also providing new shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in the United States and around the world.

"We are thrilled to work with Air1 as we help raise support for their radio ministry and help provide new shoes to children in need," said Jenny Pope, director of marketing for Buckner International. "Our hope is that by working together we can make an even bigger impact for the kingdom of God as we serve the world’s most vulnerable."

From Oct. 21 - 30, Air1 listeners who make a pledge of support to Air1 with a $40 monthly EZ gift will also help provide a new pair of shoes to a child in need through Shoes for Orphan Souls.

"We are looking forward to this partnership with our listeners and with Buckner as we have the opportunity to come together to provide hope to children in need," said Randy Chase, K-LOVE/Air1 Director of Programming. "I am continually blown away by the heart our listeners have for the Lord and their faithfulness to make a difference around the world."

According to The State of the World’s Children as reported by UNICEF, there are 148 million orphans around the world. Orphanages do not receive enough funding to support the children in their care. One of the greatest and most immediate needs is a pair of shoes. Many of the children receive one pair of shoes to last the entire year, and some don’t have shoes at all. Shoes also protect feet from many diseases and help impoverished children go to school, since most schools around the world consider shoes to be an essential item.

This Dec. 6-11, Air1 will also travel with Buckner to help deliver new shoes to children in need. To learn more about the ways to get involved by donating shoes, hosting a shoe drive or joining Air1 on the shoe delivery trip, please visit www.shoesfororphansouls.org/air1 or call 1-866-774-SHOE.

ABOUT SHOES FOR ORPHAN SOULS®:
Shoes for Orphan Souls®, the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner International, provides new shoes and socks to orphans and vulnerable children in the United States and throughout the world. From conducting shoe drives to humanitarian aid trips, Shoes for Orphan Souls offers hands-on opportunities to individuals, groups and organizations wanting to transform lives. Since 1999, Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls has delivered almost 3 million pairs of new shoes to children in 76 countries. For more information, visit: www.buckner.org/shoes.

Click here to see a video about the impact of a new pair of shoes: http://bit.ly/1Cw1fHC

ABOUT Air1:
Air1 is a listener-supported Christian CHR radio network heard by over 5 million people each week in cities nationwide including Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle-Tacoma, Phoenix, Portland, Riverside, and Sacramento. For more information, visit: www.air1.com.