Impact Monday: A Full-Circle Moment in Charlotte
What began as a single act of service over two decades ago has come full circle, this time with even greater impact.
Samaritan’s Feet recently visited several elementary schools near our home base in Charlotte, North Carolina as part of The Purpose Summit 2025 and their Impact Monday initiative. For the past 5 years, The Purpose Summit has brought hundreds of leaders from around the globe to serve, learn and lead together. What began in a repurpose bighted school building in Detroit in 2019, journeyed to The University of Notre Dame in 2022 and 2023, and then to our beautiful city of Charlotte in 2024. In each of those years, The Purpose Summit has curated community impact activities to bring people together to make a difference in the cities in which it has been held.
This year, The Purpose Summit hosted its first annual Impact Monday on May 12th to kick off Purpose Summit 2025 again here in Charlotte. Samaritan’s Feet was one of the community impact partners for this inaugural Impact Monday, and we invited local leaders and community members to join us in serving hundreds of local students while reinforcing our mission to bring hope through the gift of shoes.
At Winding Springs Elementary, every student received a brand-new pair of athletic shoes. The gym buzzed with excitement as children tried on their new footwear, smiling, running, and proudly lacing up shoes that fit just right.
This event was made possible by Coca-Cola Consolidated and Republic Airways, plus our dedicated staff, generous volunteers, and officers volunteering from both the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, all working together to serve with compassion.
But the impact didn’t stop there.
Hornets’ Nest Elementary, along with Devonshire Elementary and Walter G. Byers School, received Shoe Lockers: fully stocked, permanent reserves of new shoes in multiple sizes. These shoe lockers empower school staff to respond immediately when a student arrives in shoes that are too small, too worn, or missing entirely. With this resource in place, schools can ensure that no child misses out on learning, play, or confidence because of the shoes on their feet.
For Hornets’ Nest, the delivery of a Shoe Locker marked more than just a practical addition. It was a powerful return to where our mission began. More than 20 years ago, Hornets’ Nest Elementary was the site of Samaritan’s Feet’s first-ever shoe drive.
That early effort was fueled by parents at the school, local community members, and a shared belief in the Samaritan’s Feet vision to create a world with zero shoeless children. Among them was Terroll Joiner (TJ), a father and then-PTA president who played a key role in launching that first drive.
“We lived in the neighborhood, and my son was in kindergarten at the time,” TJ shared in a recent interview. “The response was amazing. People showed up with shoes, some new, some used, all wanting to support. I just remember my little red Subaru packed to the top, driving over to Manny to deliver what we’d collected.”
Though TJ admitted he hadn’t fully recognized the need for shoes at the time, he clearly saw the heart and drive in Manny Ohonme, the founder of Samaritan’s Feet.
“With Manny’s vision and passion, I knew it would take off. Maybe not to the level it is now, but I knew the mission would be well-received.”
Reflecting on the journey, TJ expressed pride in witnessing how far things have come.
“My son is 28 now. Looking back on how it all started, and the part we played, it’s something I’m proud of. It shows how something meaningful can grow when people come together for the right reasons.”
What began with a grassroots collection effort has blossomed into a global movement that still remembers its roots. From brand-new shoes at Winding Springs to the lasting impact of Shoe Lockers in schools across Charlotte, Impact Monday was more than an event — it was a celebration of progress, purpose, and community. It also served as a reminder that there are still more children and communities around the world waiting to be served.
