Soles4Souls joins CharityBegins to help trekkers

One person can make a world of difference. CharityBegins.org was started in 2006 when Jennifer Mahran, an American tourist heading to Peru for vacation, used her extra luggage space to carry shoes to a local non-profit. The experience stuck with her and she and her partner John Lagrotteria started Charity Begins. Living by her mission to help socially-conscious travelers help the communities they’re visiting, Mahran has done humanitarian work in a dozen countries, including a brief teaching assignment in Cambodia.

Most recently, Mahran has done volunteer work at Laliguran's Womens Center in Nepal. While in Nepal, she saw the need to help a trekking union called UNITRAV receive the proper footwear for their expeditions. She contacted Soles4Souls and soon La Sportivas were on the way. La Sportiva North America is a company of climbers, by climbers and for climbers. They make some of the best boots in the business.

"I'm very happy that we could help," said Mayran. "I'm so happy that the boots brought smiles to everyone."

Shiva Thapa, a senior member of the union was extremely happy to see new boots for UNITREV.

"On behalf of the Union and on my side, I want to thank Soles4Souls and CharityBegins for your outstanding contribution," said Thapa. "It won't be possible without your help. We really appreciate it."

To see more photos of the event, visit charitybegins.org.