Sole Purpose is an annual shoe giveaway mission started in 2018 by First United Methodist to serve children in Monticello and Drew County with new shoes and socks when school starts in the fall. The purpose of this mission is to provide Drew County's children with needed items to help them be more successful in school. This year's event will be September 29 at First Methodist Church located at 317 South Main. Information is provided to parents in the fall through the schools.
Each year, Sole Purpose looks for additional ways to help local children be more successful in school. Sole Purpose now provides coats, books, and Bibles in addition to the shoes and socks. Each child receives a container to collect as many books as they want to take home. A book chosen by the children to begin a home library encourages these kids to read and their parents to read to them. Children who read are more likely to be better students and more successful in life.
The books given away are new or lovingly used. Parents whose children are too old for the books' level, schools who are replacing books, yard sales, and "book fairies" leaving children's books on the doorstep donate the books. The more books available to the children, the better selection for their libraries. If you have children's' books that are no longer needed, please consider donating them to First Methodist Church for Sole Purpose. If your church or civic group would like to participate in building home libraries for these children, consider a book drive to collect children's books. Books can be left at First Methodist Church Office at 317 S. Main or call the office and the books can be picked up.
