Oakland Raiders and Order of Malta Clinic Team Up to Help the Homeless

On September 21st, the Oakland Raiders Wives Club teamed up with the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California to take part in their monthly podiatry clinic for the homeless at the St. Vincent de Paul Community Center in Oakland. Along with a free foot exam and treatment by our doctors of podiatry, each patient is given a new pair of socks and a pair of gently worn shoes from the closets of an Oakland Raiders coach, player or wife.

Diana Holmes, wife of Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes, along with her son Micah, helped out at the podiatry clinic event. Mrs. Holmes was just one of the many wives of Raiders’ players and coaches who collected and donated over 100 pair of slightly worn shoes to the cause and hundreds of new pairs of socks.

The St. Vincent de Paul / Order of Malta Podiatry Clinic collaboration is held on the third Wednesday of each month from 9:00am to 12 Noon. An average of 32 clients is seen at each clinic session. This special session with the Raiders Wives had over 40 patients in attendance.

The most common problems of the Podiatry Clinic clients are fungal infections, calluses and overgrown toe nails. All medical treatments by the podiatrist, and prescribed topical medicine and orthotics, are provided to patients free of charge.

In Oakland alone, the US Census Bureau estimates that 1 in 5 residents lives below the poverty level. A common thread they suffer is their inability to afford quality health care—so the podiatry clinic fills a critical need.

We urge you to drop off gently worn shoes and new socks at our next podiatry clinic being held on March 15th. Large shoes are welcomed. You can also drop off shoes beforehand at the Order of Malta Clinic located at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland.