Shoes Needed: Couple On International Adoption Journey In Final Push To Collect 2,500 Pairs For Those In Need

NEW LENOX, IL — A young couple seeking to adopt a child internationally is running a shoe drive to support those in need in other countries, while also raising funds toward their own dream.

Margaret, 31, and Brent Smith, 34, have known since before they were married that they would grow their family through adoption. As they undergo steps to make that a reality, they face an expensive and uphill battle, with an online fundraiser established to share their story.

Since March, they have been collecting shoe donations that will be sent to third-world countries to help small businesses and those who need the shoes—in turn earning funds based on the total pounds of shoes they collect. The drive is organized through Funds2Orgs, a social impact company and trusted leader in shoe drive fundraising that has led 24,000 schools, nonprofits, faith-based organizations in shoe drive fundraisers.

"When we first set out on this shoe collecting journey, we had a goal of 1,000 pairs!" Margaret Smith told Patch. "We thought that was a lofty goal and it would be an incredible accomplishment if we ever made it to that amount. BUT, in just shy of two months, we are humbled to say that we have collected (...drum roll...) 2,000 pairs of shoes! That’s just 500 pairs away from our new goal of collecting 2,500 pairs of shoes by May 23, the end date of our shoe collection adventure."

The couple lives in Downers Grove, with Margaret's roots in New Lenox and Brent's in Carol Stream. On Saturday, May 23, the couple will visit Gost Coffee, 1333 S. Schoolhouse Rd. in New Lenox, to accept shoe donations for a final push toward their goal.

"We wholeheartedly know that none of this would have been possible without the support of all of you who have donated, continue to donate, and/or pray for the success of this venture!" Smith told supporters. "God has been hard at work moving the hearts of those around us to feel inclined to donate to us and our cause, and in turn, that has greatly moved our hearts and filled us with an intense sense of gratitude, hope, & trust!"

The shoe collection is their most recent effort to chip away at what seems like a daunting overall expense to bring home a child adopted from a family in Bulgaria. But they are certain it will be worth it.

"We had many conversations when we were dating, engaged, and throughout this first year of marriage about adoption and what that would look like for our family," the couple wrote on their adoption story page. "Through those heartfelt conversations and much prayer, we came to see that we were meant to and ready to adopt."

With Margaret facing infertility, having biological children is "next to impossible," she said.

"I always saw adoption as a beautiful thing," Margaret Smith said. "I knew a lot of kids growing up who were adopted."

Smith said it's "pretty unlikely" they will ever have biological children, but "this will definitely not be our first adoption, open to foster care in the future."

Smith said she and her husband are leaning into their Catholic faith to ground them along the way.

"We’ve really felt called to international adoption," she said. "A big 'give it up to the Lord' thing. There’s little control you have in pretty much the whole situation, it’s a lot of trust."

Any child they adopt will not be an infant but instead range in age from 2 to 5 years old. Before they can travel to bring a child home, they will undergo a home study and multiple rounds of paperwork. Once approved through the U.S. government, they will then need to be registered under Bulgaria's guidelines.

"And then we wait for a match," Smith said. "It could be anywhere from a week to two years."

Both are employed full time—Margaret as a speech therapist and Brent as an adult faith formation coach—but still, the financial aspect is daunting.

Costs associated with the process include:

• Initial adoption fees: $5,400
• Home study assessment fees (including travel for home visits): $2,900
• Post home study approval fees: $12,700
• Post acceptance of presented child for adoption fees: $16,500
• Miscellaneous (including educational classes, psych exam, medical review, dossier preparation, & travel expenses) fees: $10,900

It's all overwhelming, Smith told Patch previously.

"I think number 1 for us is just rooting ourselves in our faith," Smith said of how they're handling it. "Prayer, our faith, our family and friends for sure."

Gost Coffee is the second New Lenox business that plays a part in their story. Charles Morris Salon in April held a cut-a-thon to raise funds toward the couple's goal. Smith, who attended St. Jude and is a longtime parishioner, said she, her mother and grandmother have frequented Charles Morris Salon for more than 20 years.

"We were completely blown away and overwhelmed by the love and support of the salon staff and greater community who volunteered at the event," Smith told Patch. "We ended up raising slightly over $3,800 that day! Just WOW! ☺️ How amazing! The grace of God was abundantly evident to us that beautiful day! Thank you, Charles Morris Salon and staff, from the bottom of our hearts!"

The community support has only made them more certain they're on the right path, she said.

"There’s so many people out there that want to help," Smith previouls said, "who know that it’s next to impossible for something that costs so much—for a family to adopt.

"Really good people out there who want to help and really care."

"Every week we’re getting reassuring signs that just absolutely blow our minds," she said. "I’m left in tears every other week, due to signs that we can only attribute to God."

The couple will be at Gost Coffee, 1333 S. Schoolhouse Rd., on Saturday, May 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. They will accept donations of gently used or new footwear of all kinds and sizes.

Those unable to make the May 23 drop-off can drop shoes at collection sites, though Smith is uncertain when those drop spots will close. They include:

• St. Jude Catholic Church, 241 W. 2nd Ave., New Lenox
• New Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Pkwy., New Lenox
• St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2900 E Main St., St. Charles