January 2018
In a month characterized by frozen iguanas in Florida and ice storms in Texas, it is no secret this winter has been strange. However, several elements have not been out of the ordinary – although, maybe not always in a preferred manner.
If you have spent an extended period of time outside in the bitterly cold weather, you are likely far too familiar with the unpleasant sensation of freezing toes. For many of us, this is only temporary. For those who do not have the ability to go inside or put on warmer socks, the winter weather can lead to serious problems. First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chicago, a volunteer team of podiatrists, and generous donors serve these individuals to prevent such problems.
Over 10 years ago, there was a podiatry school in the neighborhood of First St. Paul’s, Chicago, which sits just a block north of the intersection of N. La Salle and Division. The school and students had provided foot care for those in need in the neighborhood, but when the school relocated to North Chicago in 2005, the individuals they were serving were left without care. Dr. Charlotte Covello, a recent graduate of the podiatry school saw this need.
Dr. Covello is a member of First St. Paul’s and was familiar with First St. Paul’s Community Meals Program, which serves the population in need. In April 2006, the first clinic was held alongside the meals program.
Today, there is a team of volunteer podiatrists who provide a foot clinic the second Saturday of each month between 10 a.m. and noon. They serve an average of 40-50 individuals at the clinic each month and provide socks and shoes to many more.
Dr. Covello says, “people who live on the street or in shelters do not remove their shoes frequently because of exposure to the elements and risk of theft. Oftentimes, our clinic patients only change their socks once a month – when they come to visit us. Many chronic foot infections develop and flourish in a warm, damp, dark environment. This is the environment created within a shoe. These infections can lead to severe infections and possible loss of toes or limbs. Clean dry socks are critical in prevention.”
Many individuals and groups make donations of socks to the foot clinic. For example, Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley, Illinois, has run a donation drive throughout the month of January to collect socks for the clinic, and a major sock brand is partnered with the clinic. For every pair of socks purchased, the sock brand donates a pair which has undergone an anti-microbial treatment to prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria to one of their shelter or not-for-profit partners. Dr. Covello says any support to the sock brand is support for the foot clinic.
Feet physically ground people. We rely on them more than we think.
To learn more about the Foot Clinic, please contact the office of First St. Paul’s.