Q&A with Shannon Harris
Shannon Harris plans and leads team to serve internationally, along with getting organizations in the U.S. involved by volunteering or running unique campaigns. Her heart and passion to serve led her to Samaritan’s Feet. She will always greet you with a smile, so meet Shannon:
When and how did you first start serving with Samaritan’s Feet?
I first started volunteering with Samaritan’s Feet in April of 2007. I went to South Africa. I went as a team member and my life was forever changed. I returned to South Africa six months later with the Samaritan’s Feet Youth Ambassadors and then again a year later with the Youth Ambassadors. In between trips, I got plugged in locally and served at every local shoe distribution that was in Charlotte. I also participated in the World Walk where Manny walked barefoot from Concord Mills to Atlanta. I walked Concord Mills to start the walk.
How long have you officially worked with Samaritan’s Feet?
I started working for SF April 1 2018. It will be 3 years April 2021.
What do you love about working with Samaritan’s Feet?
I love working for an organization that doesn’t feel like a job. Working for Samaritan’s Feet is my passion. My role here is my calling. Spreading HOPE locally and abroad fills my heart!!
What countries have you served in?
I have served in South Africa three times, Nicaragua, Uganda, Dominican Republic four times, Belize, Spain, and Puerto Rico.
When your leading a team internationally, what is your favorite part?
Watching the lives of my team members change from the start to the end of the trip. They depart the U.S. one way; they return to the U.S. changed. I love watching team members prepare to be a blessing but once we serve they in turn find out that they are the recipients of the life-changing blessing.
This will be hard because I know you have so many, but share one of your favorite stories from serving with Samaritan’s Feet.
Boy oh boy, this changes every year. Tough one. I would have to say serving children at the FROG Center in South Africa. The children were known as the untouchables because the majority of their parents passed away from having AIDS. Most of the children either had AIDS or were HIV positive. I wanted to bring each baby back with me to the U.S. We spent quality time with each child, loved on them, and gave them shoes and other goodies. I remember team members calling my name to pull me away when it was time to leave. I did not want to leave those babies. I literally cried. I think of those babies every time I think of South Africa.
