As temperatures and snow begin to fall, a veteran-led nonprofit tapped to help Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury is desperate for shoe donations.
Team Rubicon volunteers from all over the country were deployed to seven U.S. bases in six states, including Camp Atterbury in southern Johnson County, to help the refugees resettle.
Hoosiers have done a great job donating. Team Rubicon has pushed more than 1.5 million items to Atterbury. What the volunteers noticed, though, is a lack of shoes, said Russ Hessler, Team Rubicon’s Camp Atterbury task force leader.
It’s not as if they don’t have foot coverings, but rather that they need more weather-appropriate shoes. Some refugees are still wearing sandals, Hessler said.
Team Rubicon is asking for new shoes, if possible, for men, women and children. For men, volunteers are looking for shoes under sizes 8 to 10, and for women, shoes under sizes 9 to 10.
“(In general), the larger the feet, the less the need,” Hessler said.
For children, generally any size is needed, but the organization needs 20 to 30 pairs of shoes. Kids tend to get a lot of the donations, and volunteers have noticed they need more men’s items than anything else, including more than 200 pairs of men’s shoes, he said.
Team Rubicon has received some shoe donations, but not all of them could be given to refugees. They are specifically looking for more sturdy shoes, Hessler said.
“People sending shoes with heels, we don’t need that. Flat shoes, sturdy shoes and some boots are fine,” he said.
HOW TO HELP
Here is a look at where you can donate:
Team Rubicon’s donation site:
Johnson County Park Amphitheater, 7105 S. Kern St, Edinburgh. Donations are accepted 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.
Franklin schools:
Franklin Community High School: 2600 Cumberland Drive, Franklin. Donations can be accepted during school hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Franklin Community Middle School: 625 Grizzly Cub Drive, Franklin. Donations can be accepted during school hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Johnson County Public Library:
Clark Pleasant Branch: 530 Tracy Road, New Whiteland. Donations can be accepted Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Franklin Branch: 401 State Street, Franklin. Donations can be accepted Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Trafalgar Branch: 424 S. Tower Street, Trafalgar. Donations can be accepted Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
White River Branch: 1664 Library Boulevard, Greenwood. Donations can be accepted Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
The following Johnson County sites are also accepting donations:
Franklin City Hall: 70 E. Monroe St., Franklin. Donations can be accepted during business hours Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Franklin Parks and Recreation: 396 Branigin Blvd, Franklin. Donations can be accepted during office hours Monday to Thursday 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Johnson County Recycling District: 900 Arvin Drive, Franklin. The Franklin Recycling Center is open for drop-offs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday though Friday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Trafalgar Christian Church: 300 West Pearl Street, Trafalgar. Those interested in dropping off donations should call or text Pastor Kyrmen Rea ahead of time at 317-408-9782.
Union Christian Church: 1331 East 300 South, Franklin. Those interested in dropping off donations should call Rev. Mark Parkinson ahead of time at 765-744-9772.
Wild Geese Bookshop: 40 East Madison Street Franklin. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. on Sundays.
