[caption id="attachment_335" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Terri Micetich and myself (click picture to be directed to MorningStar Mission website)"]<a href="http://www.morningstarmission.org/" target="_blank"><img class="size-medium wp-image-335   " title="dsc_3248" src="http://giveyoursole.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dsc_3248-300x160.jpg" alt="dsc_3248" width="300" height="160" /></a>[/caption]

 Today I visited the MorningStar Mission who will be the recipient of all the shoes we collect at the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon August 2nd.  Without this mission, many people would not have a place to escape the cold of Chicago. Not many people would have a sanctuary where they can keep their kids safe. Not many people would have the opportunity to get back on their feet.  Not many people would be able to have a nice meal.  In 2007 the mission served 135,327 meals.  I was told that since the economy has taken a turn for the worst the amount of meals served has gone up 50%!  You do the math.

Terri Micetich, Director of Development, at MorningStar Mission gave me a tour of the mission that tore at the heartstrings to say the least.  First of all, if there were not people like Terri and her mother, Marilyn Farmer, who I found out is the towns main caregiver for those in need, Joliet would be at a huge loss. They have committed their lives to making sure EVERYONE gets a fair shake.

Their "Jump On The Bus" program is one that deserves tremendous attention.  This program is determined to make sure that over 350 children have every school supply they need, everything from pencils to tennis shoes, as they head back to school.  Give Your Sole would like to ask those of you with children to  really help out and donate those shoes.  These kids are no different in the sense that they outgrow shoes incredibly fast.  The difference is, they don't have the means to go out and buy new ones.  With your help, we can alleviate the worry and stress of their parents having to find them new shoes.

Today I had dinner in "MY" own house.  Today I went to bed in "MY" own bed.  Tomorrow I will wake up and make "MY" breakfast.  There are far too many people in this nation that cannot say the same, many of them in Joliet Illinois.  I encourage everyone who attends this years Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon to donate your shoes to Give Your Sole so we can get them to the men, women and children at MorningStar Mission who can really use them.

Thank you.