MISSION: We Wish Shoe a Merry Christmas...in March!

See those smiling faces above? That is the result of kindness in action. It's not often that I get to see the faces of the recipients of the Secret Agent L project's acts of kindness. But thanks to a new friend on Twitter, I've been given this gift.

A few weeks ago, my new friend on Twitter was at a Filipino party, where she met Tin Tin (left) and Lin-Ai (right)--two young women from the Philippines. These ladies recently arrived in the United States to apprentice for a hotel program in Ohio. Unfortunately, they didn't pass the lifeguard test, after their parents borrowed $6000 for each of the girls to get here. Thank goodness, though, they managed to get work at a Subway Sandwich Shop, right outside of Pittsburgh.


These girls arrived in the U.S. with virtually nothing but the clothes on their backs and the pair of shoes on their feet. At the party, Tin Tin and Lin-Ai mentioned that they needed shoes very badly. My Twitter friend decided then and there to put out a call for help.


I received a message on Twitter telling me about the girls and asking if there was something I could do. I then put out a call to my followers on Twitter--and answer they did.

Within a few days, I received 14 pairs of shoes from the kind souls who answered my plea: shoes from Massachusettes, shoes from Pittsburgh, shoes from Irwin, PA.

After coordinating a drop-off location, my Twitter friend was able to get the shoes to the girls a few days ago. Needless to say, Tin Tin and Lin-Ai were quite happy to receive them.





Thank you so much to those of you who were able to get the correct size of shoes to me, for being so generous with your time and resources, and for extending your hearts and hands to women you've never met. I hope the smiles on their faces will let you know how important and special you are, as well as how integral you are to kindness on this planet.

Tin Tin and Lin-Ai still need things. They are currently sharing a studio apartment, and they don't have laundry facilities (they wash their clothes in the sink and let them dry on the radiator). Here are some items they desperately need:

• umbrellas: 2
• waterproof raincoat: 2 (XS and S)
• waterproof shoes, for work, they have to be totally closed (size 6 and size 7), black or brown, and waterproof boots, as they will be here until Dec. 2010 (they walk to and from work)
  
• gift cards at Shop N Save (they don't have a budget for food/groceries)
  
• a water pitcher
• laundry detergent
• bus passes
• rice
• extra stuff for fun, like maybe gift cards to Target, movie passes, let them tag along when you go on day trips, etc.

If you think you could provide any of these items, please leave a comment with your email address and I'll get in contact you about how to proceed. They are near the Robinson Township area. Thank you in advance for extending your hearts and hands.

Acts of kindness like these, as simple as they are, are life-changing. I hope you will open your heart to these graces. I have, and my own life has been forever changed.

Love to every single one of you,
Secret Agent L