Heart and Sole: Lexi's Journey of Giving Back

Think back on your favorite childhood birthday—do you envision the balloons, the cake, the excitement of tearing into gifts? What if, instead of gifts and celebration, your birthday became an opportunity to impact someone else’s life?

On her 11th birthday, Lexi Hanushek did just that.

Instead of unwrapping presents, she stepped into Samaritan’s Feet with her arms full of shoe donations—gifts not for herself, but for children she’d never met. It wasn’t the first time she’d asked her friends to skip the traditional birthday gifts and, instead, bring new pairs of shoes to donate. It wouldn’t be the last, either. “I didn’t feel like I was missing out,” Lexi recalled. “I just felt really lucky.”

Moments like this made her realize how fortunate her life truly was—a life filled with opportunity, support, and the ability to give back. That feeling of gratitude, simple yet profound, became the foundation for her journey dedicated to impacting others.

Lexi’s connection to Samaritan’s Feet began through her church’s mission week in Charlotte, where she spent afternoons sorting shoes in a small warehouse—long before the organization had grown into a global force for change. But it wasn’t just the hands-on work that left an impression—it was also the story behind the mission. When Lexi first heard Manny Ohonme’s story—how a single pair of shoes given to him as a child in Nigeria transformed his life—she was captivated.

“I remember watching the video about his journey,” Lexi shared. “He had so little, but one act of kindness changed everything for him. That stuck with me.”

The impact deepened when Lexi had the chance to meet Manny in person. “Meeting him made it real,” she recalled. “Here was someone who turned his gratitude into action. As a kid, that was so inspiring. And even now, I think back to how lucky I felt— and proud that I was a part of something bigger than myself.” “Who doesn’t want to be a good person?” she asked with a smile.

From that birthday forward, giving became a guiding principle in Lexi’s life. One pivotal moment came during a mission trip to Guatemala, where Lexi saw firsthand the harsh realities many families faced. “We were building water filters and stoves for families whose homes were basically bedsheets and tin roofs,” she shared. That moment shifted Lexi’s outlook entirely. She reflected on how much of her life had been spent worrying about trivial things. “It really hit me—what was I ever complaining about?”

Each act of kindness, each hour volunteered, reinforced the gratitude she felt for her own life and the opportunity to pour that gratitude into others. Service was no longer just something she did; it was a part of who she was becoming.

Even with the demands of college life, Lexi never let her commitment to service waver. Serving at children’s homes and rehabilitation centers, Lexi found joy in small moments—like pushing the children on swings or sharing a laugh over their favorite video games. “All I’m doing is pushing them for thirty minutes, and they’re so content. It’s humbling. It makes you so much more aware of the things you take for granted.”

Samaritan’s Feet has remained a cornerstone of Lexi’s story throughout her journey at Clemson University, where she’s now a senior studying marketing with a minor in nonprofit leadership. This spring, she’ll come full circle—traveling to Costa Rica with her classmates to distribute shoes alongside the organization that first sparked her passion for service.

“Seeing how much Samaritan’s Feet has grown since I was a kid is incredible,” Lexi said. “ I found the best part about serving isn’t just what you give—it’s the perspective you gain. Realizing how fortunate you are makes you want to keep showing up for others.”

Lexi’s journey serves as a reminder that the smallest act of kindness can spark a lifelong love for service. Inspired by Lexi’s story, we hope you’ll consider finding your own way to step forward, uplift a community, and leave a footprint of hope in the world.