Country Music's "Throwdown" Tour Stop in Sparta Includes Willie Nelson and Shoeman George Hutchings
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Not only is Willie Nelson on the road again-this time to Sparta, IL-but Shoeman George Hutchings, founder of Shoeman Water Projects, and his team are travelling down the highway to collect shoes as country music fans arrive at the World Shooting and Recreational Center in Sparta, June 10 and 11, 2011. Doors open each day at 3:00pm, with music performed on three stages, continuing through the evening. A $15 discount will be applied to tickets purchased at the gate, provided patrons donate a bag of shoes when they make their purchase. All shoes are acceptable but should be without any rips or holes and be tied together as a matching pair. Shoeman Water Projects, a not-for-profit program, turns the shoes into clean drinking water for people who thirst in countries where water and shoes are scarce.
After Southern Illinois concert promoter, Curt Jeffers, coordinator of the Country Throwdown in Sparta, heard about Shoeman George Hutchings' work to bring clean drinking water to people in Africa and Haiti, he invited Shoeman Water Projects to set up a shoe collection booth each day of the country music spectacular. Going an extra step to encourage shoe donations, Jeffers' company is offering the concert ticket discount as an incentive to get country music fans involved in making a difference for people who don't have ready access to clean water.
Sparta Businessman Vic Hamer contacted Jeffers to introduce the concept of combining the joy of country music with the joy of helping others. Hamer has volunteered with Shoeman Water Projects in several ways, including travelling to Kenya to be part of the water drilling process. He witnessed first-hand the impact that donated shoes have on communities. "When the water comes up out of the well for the first time, the people of the village begin to dance and sing," Hamer noted.
The shoes achieve two goals: they provide footwear for people who cannot afford shoes, and they provide water for people who thirst for clean drinking water. Shoeman Water Projects exports the shoes to places where shoes are often not affordable but greatly needed. Wearing shoes prevents cuts and parasites from entering the body. The shoes are sold for pennies on the dollar to the people needing them. The proceeds from the shoes are used to drill for clean water in countries such as Kenya and Haiti. The proceeds also support installation of water purification systems and training for the people who operate them, helping improve both physical and economic health.
George The Shoeman Hutchings, founder of Shoeman Water Projects, will be a part of the festive concert in his iconic black cowboy hat and boots.
"I want your sole," Shoeman George said. "Your shoe sole that is," he added with a joyous chuckle. "Everyone has pairs of shoes that are wearable but neglected in your closet,' he said. "I hope everyone who plans to go to the concert will look through their closets and get their friends and family to do the same before coming to the World Shooting Complex," he added. The large recreational complex in Sparta is the site of the Country Throwndown weekend.
While country music superstar Willie Nelson will be the featured performer at the June 11 event, additional popular country music artists Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell and Brantley Gilbert are expected to be a part of the Throwdown, delivering full sets of songs. Vendors of various wares, crafts and food will also be on hand to make the weekend an extraordinary experience.
Children in Lwala, Kenya, celebrate in January 2011 after the first source of fresh drinking water is drilled near their school. Shoeman Water Projects used donated shoes to cover the costs of the drilling rig and water-drilling operation..
"The joy of country music reminds me of the joy we witnessed in Kenya this past January", Hamer added.
Hamer welcomes groups and neighbors who wish to organize shoe drives to visit the Shoeman's website, http://www.shoeman.org/. There, people can download helpful information, including fliers and signs for holding a shoe drive and detailed information about the organization. Or call the Shoeman Water Projects office at 636-751-8197, to learn more about making a difference for people who thirst.