EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) recently announced their 2009 Person of the Year, and it just happened to be our friend Anne McDonald. EDCO recognizes outstanding leadership, initiative and other contributions to the economy and community throughout the year.
Anne is the President of McDonald Placement Group. She was recognized for her community service as a volunteer for Soles4Souls (that's us!). We are so happy to have an outstanding advocate like Anne on our side, helping give back to her local community and to the global community. Anne was a shining star during our June 5th Barefoot Friday event in Portland.
We appreciate you, Anne! Congratulations on being recognized for the heart and 'sole' you put into your community.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Thanks from the Ivory Coast
We recently partnered with the people of The Hanna Project to send shoes to villages throughout Africa's Ivory Coast.
The Hanna Project was created in 2004 to specifically target the hard-to-reach areas of the world. Areas that most of the world knows very little about. Recognizing the dire conditions and desperate needs, THP invests time and patience in building relationships to gain right of entry into those areas.
Sabrina Yaw from Hanna sent us a emotional description of the area they visited and what a difference the shoe donation from Soles4Souls made.
“As you can see in the picture the people who live in the villages in which we visited in the Northwest corner of Cote d’Ivoire have very little in the way of material resources. These villagers often walk miles simply for water over treacherous and rocky terrain. Thanks to Soles for Souls generosity the shoes we distributed will help make their daily lives easier by making their journey a little less painful. As we traveled from village to village in February of this year one thing that was prevalent was the large number of people with preventable wounds on their feet. Due to their limited medical resources the simplest of cuts turn into massive life threatening infections. It is our belief that being able to put shoes on their feet will help reduce the number of critical incidents these natives experience. Thanks again for your wonderful generosity.”
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Area students encouraged to 'Think Kindness' with Soles4Souls
Brian Williams, Soles4Souls motivational speaker, encourages kids to complete kind acts
[from the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune]
MANITOWOC, WI — Kids sometimes act in uncharacteristic ways because of Brian Williams. One day, an entire class of fifth-graders came to school with newly shaved heads, boys and girls alike.
Don't worry — it was parent-approved.
One of the students' classmates was going through chemotherapy and was afraid to come back to school after losing his hair. The students shaved their heads in an act of solidarity, to make their classmate feel welcome back at school.
This act of kindness is one of more than 125,000, large and small, that have stemmed from Williams' "Think Kindness" program, which is in the middle of its run among nine Manitowoc-area elementary schools.
Williams, a 27-year-old martial arts black belt from Nevada, does a combination martial arts demonstration and motivational speech to kick off each school's two-week mission: to do and document 5,000 acts of kindness and to donate 10,000 pairs of shoes to people around the world.
Students record their kind acts in journals. The target is to eventually generate one million acts of kindness, which can be as simple as holding open the door for someone.
"Something as simple as a used pair of shoes is the best catalyst to teach people to be kind," Williams said.
Much of Williams' inspiration to start the organization came from his martial arts training. One of his instructors often quipped, "Kindness is the ultimate form of self defense."
"My martial arts instructor always preached that," Williams said, "always striving to become black belts not only in martial arts, but in life."
Mark Weber, owner and instructor at Lakeshore Tae Kwon Do, followed Williams' efforts and contemplated the project as community service for his black belt students.
"[Martial arts] is more than just kicking and punching," he said. From there, the idea took off with other local schools.
Williams partnered with Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes shoes around the world, after two competing Think Kindness high schools came up with the idea to collect shoes, he said. Now, each elementary student is encouraged to get one person they know to send a text message, which will automatically donate $5 — enough for two pairs of new shoes — to the cause.
The Think Kindness project has succeeded in engaging kids to donate shoes, said Chris Carmichael, communications director at Soles4Souls, whereas many times adults are more involved.
"This one is definitely catching fire because of the uniqueness that Brian brings to it," Carmichael said.
The program strengthens students' citizenship and personal focus, said Valders Elementary School principal Jason Procknow, but teachers can also apply it to academics.
Valders will integrate a social studies component by teaching students where in the world their shoe contributions go, he said. Last summer, a group, including Williams, delivered shoes to Kenya, and plan to return next summer.
The Manitowoc-area schools will compete against each other in acts of kindness, but also against the other schools Williams presents at across the country — about 50 are scheduled for his current tour — to see which can take the title of "kindest school."
But Williams is attempting to take his initiative beyond schools, as well. Weber's martial arts students will help with a shoe drive at Saturday's Crime Prevention Day, and Mayor Justin Nickels issued a proclamation designating Oct. 19 through Nov. 2 as "15 Days of Kindness" in Manitowoc.
Williams said he checks in at schools during the two weeks to reinforce the cause, instead of being just a "one-hour speaker." At the end of a school's two weeks, the kind-acts journals go back to him.
In the end, he said, he hopes kindness will become a lifestyle for the students he meets, instead of a two-week project.
And what will he do with all the journals once the acts of kindness tally one million?
"Put them in a glass case," Williams said, "to show the world what a million random acts of kindness looks like."
Written by Allison Wickler: (920) 686-2135 or awickler@htrnews.com
[from the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune]
MANITOWOC, WI — Kids sometimes act in uncharacteristic ways because of Brian Williams. One day, an entire class of fifth-graders came to school with newly shaved heads, boys and girls alike.
Don't worry — it was parent-approved.
One of the students' classmates was going through chemotherapy and was afraid to come back to school after losing his hair. The students shaved their heads in an act of solidarity, to make their classmate feel welcome back at school.
This act of kindness is one of more than 125,000, large and small, that have stemmed from Williams' "Think Kindness" program, which is in the middle of its run among nine Manitowoc-area elementary schools.
Williams, a 27-year-old martial arts black belt from Nevada, does a combination martial arts demonstration and motivational speech to kick off each school's two-week mission: to do and document 5,000 acts of kindness and to donate 10,000 pairs of shoes to people around the world.Students record their kind acts in journals. The target is to eventually generate one million acts of kindness, which can be as simple as holding open the door for someone.
"Something as simple as a used pair of shoes is the best catalyst to teach people to be kind," Williams said.
Much of Williams' inspiration to start the organization came from his martial arts training. One of his instructors often quipped, "Kindness is the ultimate form of self defense."
"My martial arts instructor always preached that," Williams said, "always striving to become black belts not only in martial arts, but in life."
Mark Weber, owner and instructor at Lakeshore Tae Kwon Do, followed Williams' efforts and contemplated the project as community service for his black belt students.
"[Martial arts] is more than just kicking and punching," he said. From there, the idea took off with other local schools.
Williams partnered with Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes shoes around the world, after two competing Think Kindness high schools came up with the idea to collect shoes, he said. Now, each elementary student is encouraged to get one person they know to send a text message, which will automatically donate $5 — enough for two pairs of new shoes — to the cause.
The Think Kindness project has succeeded in engaging kids to donate shoes, said Chris Carmichael, communications director at Soles4Souls, whereas many times adults are more involved.
"This one is definitely catching fire because of the uniqueness that Brian brings to it," Carmichael said.
The program strengthens students' citizenship and personal focus, said Valders Elementary School principal Jason Procknow, but teachers can also apply it to academics.
Valders will integrate a social studies component by teaching students where in the world their shoe contributions go, he said. Last summer, a group, including Williams, delivered shoes to Kenya, and plan to return next summer.
The Manitowoc-area schools will compete against each other in acts of kindness, but also against the other schools Williams presents at across the country — about 50 are scheduled for his current tour — to see which can take the title of "kindest school."
But Williams is attempting to take his initiative beyond schools, as well. Weber's martial arts students will help with a shoe drive at Saturday's Crime Prevention Day, and Mayor Justin Nickels issued a proclamation designating Oct. 19 through Nov. 2 as "15 Days of Kindness" in Manitowoc.
Williams said he checks in at schools during the two weeks to reinforce the cause, instead of being just a "one-hour speaker." At the end of a school's two weeks, the kind-acts journals go back to him.
In the end, he said, he hopes kindness will become a lifestyle for the students he meets, instead of a two-week project.
And what will he do with all the journals once the acts of kindness tally one million?
"Put them in a glass case," Williams said, "to show the world what a million random acts of kindness looks like."
Written by Allison Wickler: (920) 686-2135 or awickler@htrnews.com
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Esmond's Shoe Store Plays Local Role in Getting Shoes to Needy
[from the PALLADIUM-ITEM]Richmond, Indiana -- Soles4Souls and Esmond’s Shoes will collect footwear and/or monetary donations later this month to ship the shoes to people in need.
The shoe drive at the Richmond Esmond’s Shoes store at 17 S. 8th St. will be held Oct. 26-31.
It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. The charity can use each pair to help those in need.
“Every year we have a storewide sale and the week of Oct. 26-31 will be our second year helping with Soles4Souls,” said Rodger Sieb, owner of Esmond’s Shoes.
People and companies interested in donating can visit the organization’s Web site at www.giveshoes.org.
Soles4Souls is a Nashville, Tenn.-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and individuals’ closets. It distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Soles4Souls and Shoe Carnival Work Together for Good
Soles4Souls and Shoe Carnival handed out 100 pairs of shoes to children served by the Desoto Sunrise Homes (Impact Missions Center) just south of Memphis on Monday, September 28. This event was part of a larger series of events featuring our valued partner, Shoe Carnival. For more on this, read the press release here.
Physical therapy and rehab specialists promote charitable spirit
[from JANESVILLE'S GazetteXtra.com]JANESVILLE -- Black shoes, brown shoes, big shoes and small.
New shoes, worn shoes, adults and kids all.
From sneakers and sandals to boots, footwear is being donated to a local business to help a charity that serves people in need worldwide.
On Oct. 1, Janesville Physical Therapy Specialists kicked off a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people and then distributes them at no cost to people in need.
Less than halfway through the month, at least 100 pairs of shoes had been collected at both of the business locations in Janesville and Evansville.
“We’re beyond filling a box that is 3 feet high, 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep and already got another box going,’’ said Blasé Strobl, owner and physical therapist.
“It’s great. I think we’re doing well,’’ he said.
Strobl, chose Souls4Soles because he said it’s a neat organization that fits perfectly with his profession.
“As a physical therapist, I always look at somebody’s feet whether it’s for shoulder, back or neck pain and recommend footwear in addition to conducting walking and gate analysis,” he said.
“That’s how it clicked for me,” Strobl said. “I got thinking that some people don’t have shoes. And even though some of these (donated) shoes may not be the most supportive, they might be better than nothing and help somebody a bit.’’
Conducting the shoe drive through Oct. 31 also is a way to promote October as physical therapy month, he said.
“For me it’s a win-win situation and something to create interest and excitement in giving and feeling good about yourself,” Strobl said.
Most of the shoes donated to date have come from clients, but others are calling and interested about how they can get involved, too, he said.
Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away more than 5.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in more than 125 countries, including the United States.
“People think about food and shelter as a basic need,” Strobl said.
“But having shoes is a very basic need as well. We’re looking at just trying to help people around the world have the essential needs. Protecting your feet,” he said, “can be a great way to keep our population healthy.”
STORY by SHELLY BIRKELO
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Church Collects Shoes
Local residents in Rocky Mount, NC are being invited to recycle their gently worn shoes beginning this weekend.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church is teaming up with Soles4Souls to collect gently worn footwear and/or donations for people in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty.
All shoes can be dropped off at St. Andrews Episcopal Church from 9 a.m. to noon on weekdays. A $1 contribution also is sought for each pair to help with shipping expenses. The shoe drive begins Sunday, with St. Andrews preschool and church families hosting a barefoot event, where participants will leave their shoes at the door as an act of worship and selflessness.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church is located at 301 S Circle Drive in Rocky Mount. For more information, please contact Tara Vester at 252-937-2459 or e-mail her at standrewspreschool@live.com.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church is teaming up with Soles4Souls to collect gently worn footwear and/or donations for people in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty.
All shoes can be dropped off at St. Andrews Episcopal Church from 9 a.m. to noon on weekdays. A $1 contribution also is sought for each pair to help with shipping expenses. The shoe drive begins Sunday, with St. Andrews preschool and church families hosting a barefoot event, where participants will leave their shoes at the door as an act of worship and selflessness.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church is located at 301 S Circle Drive in Rocky Mount. For more information, please contact Tara Vester at 252-937-2459 or e-mail her at standrewspreschool@live.com.
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