Soles4Souls started not quite five years ago, Jan. 2005, with the Indonesian tsunami that did so much damage. Wayne Elsey, CEO of a shoe company, was watching a news report that showed one shoe washing up on shore with the tide.
And while he knew what he could do might be limited, he did realize that he could do something to help. So he founded the Nashville-based non-profit that collects new and gently-worn footwear for people in need, whether victims of a natural disaster or those living in poverty.
Soles4Souls collects new shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and gently used ones from closets, sorts them, and distributes the shoes, free of charge.
Since 2005, over 5.5 million pairs have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States (about 55 percent go to help people in our own country).
Sport Chalet is a collection point for these shoes, starting Monday and ending
Oct. 12. There will be designated collection boxes in each Sport Chalet location.
Look for an associate so that you can get a donation receipt that will be sent to you after the shoes arrive at and are processed in the distribution center in Roanoke, Alabama (allow about a month.)
The three Sport Chalet locations closest to us are: 940 S. Grand Ave., Glendora, (626) 335-3344; Westfield Santa Anita Mall, 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia,
(626) 446-5904; and 2 Sport Chalet Drive, La Cañada
Flintridge, (818) 790-9800.
Elizabeth Kirk, from Soles4Souls, said the biggest need was for sturdy walking, work and athletic shoes for both men and women and all children's shoes. When asked about heels for women, she said that nice-looking pumps were often needed for those interviewing for jobs.
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