"Walter Steely has a heart for helping others and he is spending his life doing just that.
At 68, Steely has spent most of his life in agriculture, now he finds most of his time is spent thinking about traveling to the Ukraine to help children in the eastern European country……
His Kids Too! seeks to awaken desires of heart
August 14, 2008
"The His Kids Too! Summer Bible Camp held in Dzerzhinsk, Ukraine, June 23-28 was a smashing success. More than 41 volunteers came from all over the U.S. and Ukraine to serve orphans and local children.
The theme for the camp was based on Psalm 37: 3-4 which states "God will give you the desires of your heart when you seek Him."…
http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/CHRONICLE/802270344
More than 1,000 orphans in Ukraine received a very special surprise this winter as local charity His Kids Too! delivered Christmas gifts and gave holiday parties to nine orphanages. Tallahassean Rich Fillmon , co-founder of His Kids Too!, along with two volunteers from Jacksonville, Texas …..
These photos were all taken Jan. 2008, the photographer failed to change the 'date' on his camera~~
January 13, 2008
ENCINITAS – Nearly her entire head was swathed in bandages from her sixth surgery in 2½ years, but a drowsy Natasha Ivanishcheva was upbeat.
She was born in the Ukraine with Treacher Collins syndrome, a genetic birth defect that distorted her skull, ear and face. She was abandoned by her parents and treated like a freak when she ventured out in public.
The 18-year-old was among more than 100 disadvantaged children and young adults receiving free reconstructive surgery and related medical services at a weekend event organized by the nonprofit Fresh Start Surgical Gifts in Carlsbad…
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080113-9999-1m13surgery.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080113-9999-1m13surgery.html
Raa students help Ukrainians
The donations and check presented to His Kids, Too!,
December 7, 2007, by Raa Middle school, Tallahassee, FL
Over the past two and a half weeks, students in Jane Walker's sixth-grade geography classes at Raa Middle School collected paper clips, Fun Station tokens, Canadian coins and a button. They also raised $1,270 and 20 boxes of clothes and toiletries…..http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712080353
A student is interviewed by the local His Kids, Too! director, Teresa Fillmon with
news reporter, from the Tallahassee teacher, Jane Walker
Democrat.
His Kids reaches out to orphans
In October, I had the privilege of joining His Kids Too!, a Tallahassee-based ministry, for 16 days of life-changing ministry in the Ukraine. From the moment we arrived, we were working hard to help the hurt and needy orphans.…read more…(type in manually, this link will not work, Northeast Chronicle, December 6, 2007) www.tallahassee.com/chronicle
http://tallahassee.com/apps
Summer 2007
Ukraine Trip 2007
By: Nancy Cooper
Simply holding hands, singing songs, and making crafts with them was enough to show that we cared. Each of us showed God's love in some way that week: playing basketball, teaching a game, or leading a silly song. I'm so grateful to our church and His Kids, Too! for the opportunity to have been able to reach out to the children of Dzerzhinsk in this memorable way.
Originally published March 19, 2007
By TaMaryn Waters
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
It started as an idea.
Theresa and Maureen McKenna were learning how to sharpen their skills during a medical mission trip in the Dominican Republic three years ago. They couldn't help but notice people, especially women, who walked for miles barefoot. Many of the villagers' injuries could be avoided if they had a pair of shoes.
The 26-year-old twins, who are medical students at Florida State University, launched the "Share a Pair" drive to help provide shoes for people living in poverty-stricken areas of the world, such as Africa, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Since the Tallahassee Democrat reported the story in November, they've collected more than 2,000 pairs. They recently went to Haiti and left behind four suitcases full of shoes.
"We anticipated that people would participate, but the response has been phenomenal," McKenna said.
The donations vary from new and used athletic shoes to dress shoes and high heels. The twins stored them in their apartment and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church until the bounty became too much for the small quarters.
Garnet & Gold business owner Guy Moore saw the article and offered to house the donations in the store's warehouse. There, volunteers and employees sort them and place them in clear plastic bags.
"It's one of those tangible charities that you can do," Moore said.
A container that can be used for shipping the shoes can range from $4,000 to $6,000 when sent from Miami to the designated country. In an effort to help the twins, Moore discovered there was a local couple who sent off shoes and clothes to orphans in the Ukraine through their charity, "His Kids, Too!"
He also found someone who builds homes in Haiti. As a result of that collaboration, a 20-foot container will be shipped to Tallahassee this week, and the twins won't have to pay the shipping costs to Haiti.
"We're hoping to send two to three containers a year," said McKenna, who said they are currently fundraising for the cost of the next container.
Teresa Fillmon, who runs the His Kids, Too! charity with her husband, Rich, said they were in need of children's shoes for the charity.
"These girls collected tons of shoes. They had this great idea, and they didn't know it was going to be like this," Fillmon said.
Although medical school keeps the twins busy, the Share a Pair drive has flourished as a result of their commitment, the local community, and of course, shoes – and plenty of them.
Contact reporter TaMaryn Waters at (850) 599-2162 or tlwaters@tallahassee.com.
Employees of Garnet and Gold sort shoes
Shoes ready to ship!
Guy Moore and Teresa with hundreds of pair of
shoes ready to be boxed for shipping to Ukraine.
