08/07/2026
WIBH Radio Warm Soles, New Hope Campaigns Provides New Shoes for Kids in Need
(Southern Illinois) - WIBH Radio in Anna announced that children’s shoes purchased through its annual Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign, which ended in May, have arrived and are ready for pick-up. Shoes are available at no charge in various sizes and colors while supplies last.
Shoes can be requested at Arrowleaf, Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network (CMMHRN), Rural Health, Inc., and Southern Seven Head Start for children living in Southern Illinois affected by abuse, neglect, disaster, and family. Children can get one pair of shoes with socks without paperwork or proof of income required. Families must call the location nearest them to make arrangements for pick-up.
This year’s annual campaign collected $2,170 to purchase 84 pairs of shoes. Since it began in 2022, the fundraiser has collected over $19,543 and purchased over 1,176 pairs of shoes. The Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign is a partnership between the nonprofit organization Operation Warm and WIBH Radio.
While donations were down from last year, the coordinators call this year’s campaign a continued success as many families in the region struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. Nearly 20% of Southern Illinois children live in poverty and shoes that fit well are an essential item every day.
“We are fortunate to live in a community that cares about the needs of others,” said Moury Bass, co-owner of WIBH. “That’s why we are using the voice of WIBH radio to let our listeners know that there are children in Southern Illinois who need new shoes.”
While the Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign is an annual event each April and May, donations are collected throughout the year online at operationwarm.org/wibh. Shoe costs are kept low through the support of Shipping Saint in Anna who donates the shipping of the shoes. This allows 100% of all donations to go directly to purchasing the shoes.
Other local businesses partnering with WIBH include Shawnee Mass Transit District and Duckworks Lawn Care who help deliver shoes to their distribution sites, and T&I Office Equipment in Anna who donates the printing of flyers used in outreach.
Shoes are purchased through the non-profit organization Operation Warm; a national nonprofit that creates new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. Operation Warm partners with individuals and organizations across the United States to give a gift of warmth, confidence, and hope to millions of children in need.
For more information about the WIBH Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign, contact Moury Bass at WIBH at 618-833-9424 or Shawnna Rhine at Rural Health, Inc. at 618-833-4471 ext. 1036, or visit the WIBH Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign on Facebook. To learn more about Operation Warm, visit operationwarm.org.
# # #