Our Boot Drive has ended—we collected 21 pairs!

Many, many thanks to those who gave.

We will be running it again next winter (beginning in November) so if you weren't able to contribute this year, please bear it in mind when you are sorting through your winter gear at the beginning of spring this year.

Next year we are hoping to collect even more boots!

Why do we collect boots?

Winter is very hard on people who live marginally. Decent cold-weather footwear is expensive, and often other needs take precedence. But cold wet feet lead to frostbite and circulation problems that can make getting around even harder for people whose lives are already difficult. Every year, we try to help by gathering together lots of boots, especially in men's sizes, to take to a social services agency that can distribute them to people who need them. For the past few years we have run a Boot Drive (and a concurrent Sock Drive for warm wool socks) beginning in early November and ending on Epiphany (6 January).

Why do we run the Boot Drive until Epiphany (instead of Christmas)?

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the moment when the magi recognized Christ as the light of the world, and they brought gifts to honour him. We, as Christians, are called to recognize Christ in every person, even - especially - those who are most lost and broken. The boots that are brought to the Boot Drive are gifts we bring to the Christ Child. The photo accompanying this post shows this year’s boot collection placed in front of our altar, because, like the collection we take up on Sunday to support the various ministries of our parish, we bring them before God as an offering before sending them out to those who need them.

Pray, my brothers and sisters, that this, my sacrifice and yours, may acceptable to God the Father almighty. And pray, also, that these small gifts may be a sign of hope and love, and that they may be a source of warmth to ease the chill of winter for those who receive them.