Christian Pritzlaff, a Middletown resident and sixth grade student at Saint James School, Red Bank, answered a call for help from a missioner in Guatemala City to collect sneakers for children living in the barrio with no shoes to protect their feet. 

Each day they walk, work and play barefoot on glass-covered dirt roads. Working with Ms. Mary Logan, a religion teacher and Maryknoll Affiliate at Red Bank Catholic High School, Christian collected 100 pairs of sneakers, cleats, and shoes in children's and adults' sizes for the cause.

The Maryknoll Affiliates program is open to high school students interested in supporting the missionary work of the church to improve living conditions in developing nations. 

The Maryknoll motto is "Making God’s love visible." This goal appears to have been reached based on the mission administrator’s comment upon learning of the sneaker collection: "God has not abandoned us!"

Christian became aware of the Maryknoll program through his sister Danika Kenney's past involvement, and he was proud to get involved when asked if he could help. Danika is an alumnus of St. James and Red Bank Catholic schools.

Christian wishes to thank all supporters for their generous donations.