Madison United Methodist Church completed a shoe drive to help HEALS (Health Establishments at Local Schools). This photograph shows an actual pair of worn-out shoes that a HEALS patient was wearing. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison United Methodist Church’s congregation stepped forward to supply a taken-for-granted need with HEALS Inc. (Health Establishments at Local Schools).

Madison UMC members donated about 40 pairs of new shoes to fit infants, boys, girls, men and women. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, HEALS provides quality, school-based healthcare for children.

Huntsville, Madison City and Madison County Schools collaborate with the medical community for the HEALS outreach.

Madison UMC member and HEALS worker Sara Cochran suggested the shoe drive. “We just jumped right in,” Dr. Travis ‘Trav’ N. Wilson, the church’s pastor, said.

Wilson and the staff requested donations with the church’s Facebook page, including a link about mailing shoes. This approach allowed people outside the church to donate. “Generosity of God’s people always is amazing,” Wilson said.

“Anyone can buy a pair of shoes. When you put a group of ‘anyones’ together in the name of Jesus, that can be several pairs of shoes. But one pair can change the world,” Wilson said.

“We learned again the blessing of following Jesus,” Wilson said. He believes members were aware that local children needs basic necessities like shoes.

“At most, they only need a concrete need put before them. After the need is presented, Madison Church always responds. That’s who The Lord made them to be,” Wilson said.

At HEALS, “every child seen for their annual well-child check-up is given an opportunity to receive a new pair of shoes,” Cochran said. The staff documents the child’s preferred size, and each clinic orders the shoes. The HEALS administrative office then fills orders.

Year-round, HEALS not only collects shoes but also toiletries, first-aid supplies and over-the-counter medications. HEALS accepts online or mailed cash donations. HEALS primarily serves children in grades K-12 but will treat siblings of students if a need arises.

HEALS’ office address is 1100 Meridian St. in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-428-7560 or visit healsinc.org, Facebook/Healsclinics or Twitter @HEALSINC.

Madison UMC’s address is 127 Church St. For more information, call 256-772-9761, email to office@madisonum.org or visit madisonum.org.