Paros 100 for 100: Share-a-Pair (dec. 2013)

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• published: 13 Dec 2013
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YEREVAN, Armenia—Share-a-Pair, a project of The Paros Foundation's 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity distributed more than 50,000 shoes to children in need in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh this year. "In its third year, Share-a-Pair has successfully distributed more than 75,000 pairs of new shoes and almost 1,000 pairs of warm winter boots to children in need," said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. "This has been particularly exciting because we have been able to engage hundreds of volunteers from around the world during our various distributions." In 2013, shoes were distributed to children in need, in more than 90 rural communities. Distributions were also made to children in boarding schools, kindergartens, orphanages and through other non governmental children's organizations. Helping meet the need of an impoverished child with a well-fitting pair of new shoes appropriate for school or play, improves their health and development. New shoes are costly and often times poise a financial hardship for parents of multiple children. Throughout the process, both children and their parents expressed their thanks for this bit of relief. Through our partially funded Healthy Teeth Project, dental hygiene products were distributed to almost 2,000 children in select rural communities. SERVICE-Armenia 2013 participants both distributed the products and provided instruction on their proper usage. Our partner, Focus on Children Now spearheaded shoe distributions throughout needy communities in Nagorno Karabakh. Ambassador John Heffern, US Ambassador to Armenia and the US Embassy's Helping Hands group joined with our SERVICE Armenia 2013 Participants to distribution shoes to children in rural communities. The Paros Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation to the donors, the Unison, NGO supporting people with special needs, Focus on children now, Ambassador John Heffern, the Helping Hands group at the US Embassy in Armenia, the Paros Foundation's SERVICE Armenia 2013 participants and all the other volunteers that joined this important effort. Share-a-Pair's Operation Winter Boots continues to accept donations. A $20 contribution will provide a child in need a new pair of warm winter boots. The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing 100% of donor contributions to go directly to this project. To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation's 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.