With the approach of winter, plenty of feet will have added protection thanks to the Walk On with Walter Paul Foundation.
After the unexpected passing of Walter Paul Miller II at age 44, his sister Mandi started an effort in his memory to collect socks for donation to those in need.
“For most people, a package of socks isn’t a big deal,” she said. “Go outside for a 15-minute walk in shoes without socks when it’s 20 degrees, and now I think you might have a different perspective.”
This year’s collection netted 1,000 pairs, which were delivered to the City Mission in Washington two days after Walter’s birthday in October.
“He liked to wear fun designer socks, like bacon and eggs or little skiers on them,” Mandi explained, referencing one of her brother’s favorite recreational activities. “Everybody would remember that.”
She remembered that a church she used to attend would hold concerts at which admission was a pair of socks, and she took the idea to Josh Kerr, adult ministries pastor at her current place of worship, Peters Creek Baptist Church in Bethel Park.
“We went to each of the adult Bible classes,” Mandi, who lives in Bethel Park, recalled. “We spoke about it, and we left boxes in each room.”
That first year, 278 pairs were donated, and the number rose to 662 in 2023.
Along with Peters Creek, members of the Bethel Park Lions Club, with Beth Janusek serving as liaison, helped this year’s collection. Mandi credits Philip Pelusi Salon in Sienna at St. Clair and Christian relief and development organization World Vision with further assistance.
“We did have a lot of people contributing, a lot of organizations that contributed, but that would not have been possible without God putting those people not only in my path, but also stirring in their hearts to contribute,” she said.
Donations in 2022 went to the Bethlehem Haven homeless shelter at Duquesne University, prior to the following year’s switch to the City Mission, which has a working relationship with Peters Creek Baptist Church.
“Maybe it will get big enough that we can disburse elsewhere,” Mandi said. “That would just be amazing, and I don’t doubt God could do that.”
She expressed fond memories of her brother.
“He had a good heart. He always liked to bring people together. He always liked to make people feel good about themselves,” she said. “He liked to talk people up and encourage them.”
That included members of his family.
“He was definitely devoted to his wife and son. I was very proud of him for that,” Mandi said. “We’ll always make sure that the two of them are well cared for and have a good support system.”
She is grateful for all the support on behalf of the Walk On with Walter Paul Foundation.
“I’ve learned over the years that if you give people the opportunity, there are more people out there who want to help than don’t,” she said. “And that’s what makes this possible. That’s how we got a thousand pairs of socks this year.”
Next year’s goal is 1,001, for reasons that go beyond feet.
“It’s a lot more than just providing socks. It’s providing a sense of worth,” Mandi explained. “Everybody matters, at every walk of life.”