Teacher Steps up Shoe Charity Drive

A school is a natural place to collect used shoes for charity: Children outgrow them so fast there's a steady supply.

Language arts teacher Barbara Swier at Turlock Junior High in Modesto, CA was looking into recycling shoes and found Soles4Souls. Swier learned that 300 million children worldwide are without shoes and she wanted to help.

"These children are walking everywhere barefoot, often over rocky soil," Swier said. "What happens to them in the winter?"

Swier set up boxes in her classroom and the school's office and started putting out the word. A local Federal Express office will ship the shoes for free to the Soles4Souls' Western warehouse.

Swier said gently used shoes of all sizes and styles are needed. The Turlock Junior High is located at 3951 N. Walnut Road. People can drop off shoes from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Miami Fashion Show Benefits Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls was the charity of choice at the Delilah Johnson fashion show hosted September 19th at the swanky Setai Hotel on South Beach.

Julia Kreibich, the managing director of Pearl & Co, helped put on the show which featured the stylish designs of new designer Delilah Johnson, as well as many high-end brands that donated shoes to the "purple" theme.

"We had several fashion and shoe industry people in attendance and were able to raise a respectable amount of money for Soles4Souls," said Kreibich. "I am very proud of the people in this industry!"

Soles4Souls partners with peace Builders to distribute shoes to Tibetan children in India

Soles4Souls donated shoes to an organization called Peace Builders, who then distributed the brand new 'Keen' shoes to children in Dharamsala, India. The children who received the shoes were not Indian, but Tibetan children who live as refugees in the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala.

The Mission of Tibetan Children's Villages- an integrated charitable organization - is to ensure that all Tibetan children under its care receive a sound education, a firm cultural identity and become self-reliant and contributing members of the Tibetan community and the world at large.

“The Village was formed to care for ‘the many children who had been orphaned or separated from their families during the arduous escape from their homeland,'" says Diane Eskinozi who works for Peace Builders. Many of the children have fled political persecution in Tibet, walking for days or weeks through the Himalayan mountains. Many of their parents were killed. More info is available at http://www.tcv.org.in/history.shtml”

Soles4Souls donates shoes to a title 9 elementary school in Las vegas.

At the USRA conference in May 2009, shoe charity Soles4Souls donated shoes to the 550 school-age children at Ronzone Elementary School in Las Vegas. Students in kindergarden through 5th grade at this title 9 school that receives special funds received a brand new pair of specialized Soles4Souls flip-flops - the smiles on their faces tell the rest of the story.

Quite the feat CRMS students send 500 pairs of used shoes to needy souls around the world

Local running store also collecting used shoes

Colorado Rocky Mountain School students JJ Worley, left, and Kelsey Bohannon, pictured amidst the boxes filled with 500 pairs of used shoes which they will be shipping off as part of the Soles4Souls effort.

CARBONDALE, Colorado — Friends and fellow Colorado Rocky Mountain School juniors Kelsey Bohannon and JJ Worley recently found a way to help needy people around the world, and keep what otherwise would be trash out of area landfills.

Through the Soles4Souls shoe charity, they collected some 500 pairs of used shoes from throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. The shoes will be sent to a warehouse in Nevada, and eventually shipped to villages around the world where people cannot afford to buy shoes themselves.

“I heard about it and it just interested me as a way for people do something for those in need without sending money,” said Bohannon, 16, who lives in Glenwood Springs.

“Some people don't like giving money, because they're not sure what's really going to happen to it,” she said. “There's not much else you can do with used shoes, though. You know someone is going to be wearing them who needs them.”

Worley, also 16, from Carbondale, looks at it as a “one person's trash is another person's treasure” sort of approach to global charity.

“People really do get tired of donating money. This is a way to get rid of something you'd be throwing away anyway, and for a good cause,” she said.

Bohannon and Worley put up flyers around the valley and set up collection boxes at Summit Canyon Mountaineering in Glenwood Springs and at Dos Gringos Burritos in Carbondale.

“They asked me to come empty the box at Summit because it was overflowing,” Bohannon said. “The shoes filled up my car.”

Once they collected all the shoes they realized it would cost $230 to ship them to Nevada, even after the 80 percent charity discount from UPS. So they approached the Aspen Skiing Company, and it covered the shipping cost.

“We didn't even think about the money part of it,” Worley said. “We really want to thank the Skico for helping us out.”

They received some interesting shoes along the way, including some Go-Go boots, a pair of snowboard boots, and ballet slippers.

“Some of them are pretty fancy shoes, and not very used at all,” Bohannon said.

Miser's Mercantile, a local second-hand store, also donated some of the shoes it had in stock, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary collected a box of shoes as well.

The students may do another drive in the future, but their collection efforts are done for now. However, Independence Run and Hike, a local running and outdoor gear store, is also a collection location forSoles4Souls.

The store, located in the Gateway Plaza at Highway 133 and Cowen Drive in Carbondale, is collecting “gently worn” footwear and/or monetary donations to help ship the shoes.

The shoes sometimes go to victims of a natural disaster, or who are subject to living in extreme poverty, according to the organization's website, www.giveshoes.org.

“It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets,” it notes. “The charity can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life.”

Independence Run and Hike owner Brion After said he is glad to contribute, both in the charitable sense and because of the reduced environmental impact of recycling used shoes.

“We believe in taking care of the land that takes care of us,” he said. “Partnering with Soles4Souls enables the local running and hiking community to be environmental stewards and assist those in need throughout the world.”

Shoe Carnival gives soles to the world

For the third time in two years, Shoe Carnival is partnering with shoe charity Soles4Souls Inc. through Sept. 29 to give away shoes to those in need.

Customers at all 314 store locations, including one at Westwood Plaza in West Ashley and Azalea Square in Summerville, will have the opportunity to donate $1 at the register.

The Evansville, Ind.-based company hopes to raise at least $140,000 through the in-store program. All funds will be applied toward sending a new pair of shoes to victims of natural disasters or those living in extreme poverty, both in the U.S. and around the world.

Sole mates: Student inspired by S4S creates nonprofit to collect, distribute shoes to Vietnamese orphans

Santa Catalina's Paulina Nguyen inspired by 2007 trip to Vietnam.

Paulina Nguyen's first trip to Vietnam in 2007 was intended as a chance to meet distant relatives and get a foothold on her family roots.

A visit to a Vietnamese orphanage changed that, especially when she saw children walking around barefoot.

She knew she had to do something.

Nguyen, a 17-year-old senior at Santa Catalina School, promptly started Soles4Orphans, her personal effort to collect and distribute shoes to Vietnamese orphans. This year, she has collected $3,400, which will be used to purchase sandals and shoes for her family's trip to Vietnam in December.

"I really had a connection with the kids there. When I saw some of them were barefoot, it stayed with me," she said. "I wanted to do something to help, but I didn't know exactly what."

Administrators at Santa Catalina School said they were impressed with Nguyen's initiative.

"It's a wonderful example of how students look beyond themselves and out into the world," said Richard Patterson, assistant head of school for advancement.

The idea for Soles4Orphans was inspired by Soles4Souls, a national nonprofit founded by former footwear executive Wayne Elsey.

When Nguyen saw a Soles4Souls shoe bin at a local shoe store seeking donations, she was reminded of the Vietnamese orphans who walked with calloused feet everywhere they went.

She began collecting shoes in late 2007, and by the time she was ready for her trip in June 2008, she had collected 500 pairs of shoes, along with in-kind donations.

The money she collected was used to buy an additional 200 pairs of sandals upon her arrival in Vietnam.

Paulina showed up with boxes of shoes and sandals, and sizing mats with shoe sizes drawn on them. Children measured their feet, received a pair and rejoiced. Some were just excited at the prospect of the shoe measurement, having never known what size they were.

This year's trip will happen around the winter holiday break. She plans on taking shoes that have been donated, including some 40 pairs that were sent in by an Indiana mother who heard about her organization. The donor had recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of her own adoption of a young child and wanted to mark the occasion with a donation.

Nguyen gave special thanks to Elsey and Soles4Souls, which she mentions on her Web site as an inspiration. Elsey has encouraged her effort, Nguyen said.

Donate shoes in southern York County

Christian fitness group Motion and Devotion is teaming with Soles4Souls to collect gently used shoes and donations to support Soles4Souls' mission of providing footwear to people in need worldwide.

The collection period is scheduled from Sunday through Nov. 13 at three southern York County locations.

Locations include Shrewsbury Assembly of God Church, 234 N. Main St., Shrewsbury, Gold's Gym, 985 Far Hills Drive, Hopewell Township, and PA Fitness, 543 S. Main St., Shrewsbury.

Bella Mia to Help Needy

Bella Mia, a clothing and shoe store in Plymouth, MI will be hosting "Ladies Night Out" in support of Soles4Souls. The event is taking place Monday, September 21st (tonight) from 7 to 9 p.m.

The “Ladies Night Out” event is a private party organized by Kristen Kaminski that will benefit the needy in the U.S. and around the world with the simple gift of shoes. The boutique will host the private party after its closing hours. A gently worn shoe donation will be required as admission, and Bella Mia will donate 15% of the evening's earnings to Soles4Souls.

“I'm looking forward to this event bringing together women for such a great cause,” Kaminski said. “With the help of Bella Mia and shoe donations from all those that attend, I truly hope that we can make a difference in others' lives.”

Bella Mia is located on 535 Forest St. in Plymouth, MI. For more information call (734) 656-0057.

Cole Haan Offers Discount to Benefit Soles4Souls

Cole Haan and Soles4Souls have teamed up in a charitable effort to provide shoes to those in need.

From September 10th-20th Cole Haan shoppers, who donate a minimum of one pair of gently worn shoes, by any brand, will receive 15% off their entire purchase. The promotion is in effect at Cole Haan stores nationwide.

Click here to find a store near you.

Saul's Celebrates 70 Years

A clothing and shoe store in Gainesville, GA is celebrating decades of business this year by continuing its family tradition of customer service.

Saul’s, located at 100 Main St. SW, was established 70 years ago by Bill and Gussie Schrage. Their son, Lorry Schrage, continues the family business today. Schrage said Saul’s has been so successful for so long because of the clothing store’s customers.

"There are very few people that come into my store that I wouldn’t have in my living room," he said.

A personal relationship with the customers is just one of the traits Schrage said is important to the success of any business. Another factor of Saul’s success has been the owners’ involvement in the community.

Earlier this year, Saul’s became involved with Soles4Souls. Customers who donated shoes at the store received a 20% discount on a new pair at Saul’s during the shoe drive.

"At Saul's, we feel it is important to help less fortunate people during these tough economic times with much needed shoes," said Schrage.

Saul’s also is celebrating its birthday by holding a special sale this month. Some items are 70 percent off, to match the clothing store’s 70th year, through Sept. 30.

Opelika Pastor Walks to Raise Shoes

For the last 18 years, pastor Rick Hagans, 51, from First Baptist Church in Opelika, AL has been lacing-up his walking shoes and taking to America’s roads in an effort to gather shoes because of a promise he made to a little boy.

One Christmas while in Mexico delivering toys to children, a little boy, between the ages of five and six, asked Hagans if he could trade his toy for a pair of shoes.

That moment stuck with Hagans. Since that time he has been collecting shoes for what he calls the “Pilgrimage of a Promise.”

Now working with Soles4Souls, Hagans collects about 10,000 pairs of shoes a year for people in Mexico, all while making an annual walk across different states. For every pair of shoes Hagans collects, Soles4Souls matches the contribution.

Currently, he’s walking across Maryland, Delaware and Connecticut.

“So far we’ve walked a total of about 300, 310 miles and we got another 70 or 80 (miles) to go,” Hagans said.

He expects to finish his walk by Thursday. Monday, he was in Newhaven, Conn.

“I always try to walk about 400 miles because that’s what I can walk in a month,” he said.

Since beginning his annual treks, Hagans has walked more than 6,500 miles and collected more than 150,000 shoes. When he completes his journey on Thursday he will have walked 32 of the 50 states.

This year, things are a little different on the pilgrimage, Hagans’ son, Chester Hagan, 19, is following in his father’s footsteps — literally.

Chester joined his father on the walk in an effort to raise more than 800 pairs of shoes for a Guatemalan village.

“We went up there one day to one of the villages, people didn’t have shoes,” Chester said. “I can get a pair of shoes for everybody.”

The village has about 800 residents.

Hagans partners with Times Square Church to gather the shoes and get them to Mexico and Guatemala.

In addition to collecting the shoes and keeping a very important promise, getting out on the road puts him in touch with people and he prays with people anytime he gets the chance.

“People are very needy for the word I have to share ...” he said. “To me it’s a lot more like Jesus than sitting in a stained glass sanctuary that’s insulated and isolated … Jesus never had a car, never got an airplane ticket.”

Hagans said in addition to collecting shoes and meeting and praying with new people, he hopes to set a record.

“The best I can tell nobody has ever walked across all 50 states,” he said. “I’m over half way.”

150 Pair Donated During Service in Georgia

Churchgoers at Connect Rome in Rome, GA were asked to do something different Sunday morning.

Josh Roberts, pastor of the church that meets in the barroom of McCrobie’s downtown, not only asked his parishioners to leap into a relationship with God, but also to leap out of their shoes for a good cause.

Many of those in attendance were surprised when Roberts asked them to leave the shoes they wore to church, but gave them up without question. The church collected 150 pairs of shoes to donate.

“Josh wanted to use the message and make it where everyone could apply it to real life this morning,” said Robert’s new assistant Jeannene Parsons.

The shoes would be sent to a Soles4Souls warehouse where they would be sorted and shipped across the nation to people in need.

“They have three different warehouses, two of which are in Alabama and Tennessee,” Parsons said. “So we’ll be shipping the shoes out to the Alabama warehouse.”

Berry College junior Joseph Cook said he was happy to have given up his footwear. He donated the pair of Rainbow flip-flops he normally wears to church.

“They were just shoes,” he said. “They’re kind of hard to give up, but they weren’t my shoes to give in the first place. They were God’s shoes.”

Read Pastor Josh's blog on the donation here.

Lady Vols to hold Kids Shoe Drive Sunday

The University of Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team will host the first "Kicks for Kids" shoe drive this Sunday at Regal Soccer Stadium at the 2 p.m. match against Western Carolina.

Fans who bring a pair of new or gently worn shoes to donate will receive free admission for two to the game. The "Kicks for Kids" shoe drive will benefit Soles4Souls.

Third Eye Blind to Perform Acoustic Set at Nine West

Third Eye Blind, the popular alternative rock band will perform live at Nine West to support Fashion's Night Out and promote "Ursa Major," their newest album. Ursa Major is the band's 4th studio album and debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.

People are invited to experience this rare performance by frontman Stephan Jenkins and bandmate Tony Fredianelli before they go on an extended world tour. Nine West will also celebrate the night by showcasing their latest Vintage America Collection and a second live performance by singer/songwriter and brand ambassador, Miranda Lee Richards.

In partnership with Lucky Magazine and Soles4Soles, the iconic retailer will be collecting gently used footwear from customers during the event and rewarding the first 99 donations with a $50 gift card. All Nine West shoppers that evening will celebrate with music, food, beverage and a 15% discount on purchases.

Fashion's Night Out will be held at the Nine West Specialty Retail Store at 675 Fifth Avenue (at 53rd Street) in New York City on Thursday, September 10th. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with an exclusive VAC shopping event and a performance by Miranda Lee Richards. Third Eye Blind members Stephan Jenkins and Tony Fredianelli will perform later in the evening.

Whoa! Diamond Ring Found in Donated Shoes

Every woman knows what it feels like to lose something that was important to her, whether it's a baby blanket, wallet, or piece of beloved jewelry, and knows how much it hurts when it happens.

But while the loss of such precious things usually makes us think of thieves, robbers, or our own forgetfulness, we don't usually expect it to happen accidentally while we're doing good deeds for the community.

Such was somebody's fate after donating a pair of shoes to the charity Soles4Souls in Florida.

Soles4Souls, an international shoe charity that collects shoes for the needy, recently discovered a misplaced diamond ring, which fell out of a pair of shoes donated at the Foot Solutions franchise in The Village, FL.

As the donations are often anonymous, the owner of the ring is still unknown, and Foot Solutions owners Linda and Malcolm Barry are now searching for the person who lost something so precious in an act of generosity. If any of you readers out there know someone who donated shoes and lost a diamond ring in the process, please forward this along!

With that said, the rest of us should learn our lesson for now. First, if we've got some new or used shoes that we no longer want or need, consider donating them to Soles4Souls, which currently distributes shoes to people in over 70 countries--the high that we get from giving back is really worth taking the time. And second, let's remember to be careful when handling our prized possessions because we'd never want to end up accidentally giving away a little more than planned!

Zappos and West Coast Conference to collect shoes at Basketball championships!

LAS VEGAS_The West Coast Conference and partner IMG College say Zappos.com will be the title sponsor of the conference men's and women's basketball championships in Las Vegas.

The deal gives Henderson-based Zappos.com exclusive marketing, promotional and media rights for WCC men's and women's championships scheduled each March through 2012 at the 7,800-seat Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

The conference and Zappos.com also plan to collect used shoes from member universities from December to March for distribution internationally through Soles4Souls.

Local Teen Collects Shoes for the Needy

Andie Davidson collects shoes of all styles and donates them to the Soles4Souls charity that donates the shoes worldwide to disaster victims, the homeless and domestic abuse shelters.

LEAWOOD, Kan. – A Blue Valley North High School Junior, Andie Davidson, worries about children around the world who've never had shoes. So, she's trying to help by collecting gently-used shoes of all styles to donate to Soles4Souls.

The non-profit Soles4Souls charity donates shoes worldwide to disaster victims, disadvantaged children, the homeless, and those in orphanages and domestic abuse shelters. Both children and adults worldwide are in need of footwear, and are overjoyed to receive even a pair of used shoes.

Through Davidson's project, used shoe donations are being accepted throughout the month of September at three locations: Blue Valley North High School, 12200 Lamar Ave., at Elite Feet Running Shoes, 5017 W. 119th St., in Overland Park, and at Backwoods Outdoor Gear, 6825 W. 135th St., in Overland Park.

Soles4Souls began after the sight of a single empty shoe on the beach after the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. That touching site inspired founder Wayne Elsey to donate shoes and later establish a non-profit agency. In 2004 and 2005, Soles4Souls distributed over one million pairs of shoes for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Asian Tsunami.

Soles4Souls Supports the Wade Center in West Virginia

Shoe charity Soles4Souls has supported the Wade Center in Bluefield West Virginia for the past few years. The Wade Center exists to promote and nurture the growth of the children, teens and young adults of the Greater Bluefield Community through practical programs and mentoring relationships. According to its website, the Wade Center's programs address the spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual needs of the community's children, with the goal of encouraging positive personal growth that results in the development of productive members of the community.

Soles4Soul's shoe donations to the center allow children in the community to take home a new pair of shoes. The shoe charity has also donated $5,000 to the center. Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Wayne Elsey promises to donate more shoes this Christmas season to the Wade Center.

Shoes Handed Out in Jamaica

Here is a touching letter we received from a member of the Miami-Dade Kiwanis Club who was present during a recent shoe giveaway in Jamaica:

“Of the numerous projects undertaken during the Mission, the shoe distribution was the most touching. The look on the faces of children as they tried on their shoes and the glee in their eyes as they held their new pair of shoes close to their bodies left an indelible mark. These images will stay with us forever.

Many of the people who came to us had no shoes or badly worn shoes. Although we were able to help some individuals, we barely scratched the surface. The dire need for shoes has opened our hearts to respond in a more meaningful way in future Missions. Due to the generosity of our sponsors Soles4Souls and Seafreight Lines, we were able to change the lives of the people of Jamaica.”

DuPont Middle School Helping Those in Need

The DuPont Middle School band in Belle, WV will be working with Soles4Souls to collect donations for children in need from Sept. 7 through Sept. 22. Along with helping Soles4Souls aid needy people in the region and around the world, DuPont Middle School students are also raising funds for their own programs.

"I am extremely excited that our school is getting involved in this program. I know this program will help students who need help the most during these economic times," said Dave Miller, principal of DuPont Middle School.

The Soles4Souls program provides an innovative alternative to traditional fundraisers. Students collect monetary donations from family, friends, teachers and neighbors for the purchase of new Soles4Souls clogs or flip-flops. Soles4Souls ships the shoes directly to people in need, domestically and internationally.

For every pair of $5 flip-flops or $10 clogs sponsored, the school organization receives 40 percent of the proceeds in the form of a check from Soles4Souls, along with incentives for the students and the programs they are representing.

"The DuPont Middle School Band is a program that has students from all walks of life as well as levels of income," said Andrew Harper, the DPMS band director. "We are constantly working on providing quality musical experience and want every child to be able to join the band; however, money is a great concern, so we are raising money for students who cannot afford instruments. Our hope is to provide footwear to students in the Appalachian region who are in need."

The students at DPMS have also launched its 2009-2010 Box Tops for Education fundraising campaign, in which consumers can contribute to the school through easy, everyday efforts.

Ladies' Home Journal Employees Give a Lift to Soles4Souls

On August 27, LHJ staff members were out in force in front of New York's Madison Square Garden to collect shoes from the nearly 20,000 attending the Kellie Pickler/Taylor Swift concert. Result was the pictured overflow, and they were coupled with 500-plus shoes donated by LHJ parent Meredith Corp.'s New York employees--the same group that collected 1,600 pounds of clothing for a Family Circle campaign with Goodwill Industries (min, August 24, 2009).

Shoes beneficiary is Nashville-based Soles4Souls, a favorite cause for American Idol alumna Pickler. It began in the aftermath of the December 4 tsunami in Southeast Asia that killed an estimated 250,000 and left many more homeless.

Shoe Carnival Announces Humanitarian Effort with Soles4Souls

Popular Footwear Retailer Reaches Out to Communities Across the U.S. to Spread Hope and Engage Customers in Giving Program EVANSVILLE, IN & NASHVILLE, TN (September 1, 2009) - For the third time in less than two years, the popular footwear retailer, Shoe Carnival, is partnering with shoe charity Soles4Souls, Inc. to give away shoes to those in need.
Beginning September 2 through September 29, customers of all 314 Shoe Carnival locations will have the opportunity to donate $1 at the register. Shoe Carnival hopes to raise at least $140,000 through the in-store program. All funds will be applied toward sending a new pair of shoes to victims of natural disasters or those living in extreme poverty, both here in the United States and around the world.

Additionally, Shoe Carnival and Soles4Souls will join forces to donate new shoes to local charities in St. Louis, Memphis, Birmingham and Mobile, where thousands of shoes will be given to needy people. "Shoe Carnival is proud to continue our support of Soles4Souls," said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. "The ongoing partnership with Soles4Souls fits the core of what our brand strives to do, and that is to provide shoes for people that need them." 'Shoe Carnival has taken on our cause as their own, and we are extremely proud to partner with them to reach thousands of people who are suffering,' said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. 'Their generosity directly benefits people who need our assistance, and we invite everyone to stop by a Shoe Carnival location to become personally involved,' he said. For more details on the Shoe Carnival / Soles4Souls partnership, visit http://www.giveshoes.org/.

Nine West Vintage America Collection is Proud to Support Soles4Souls

Residents across the U.S. are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes for people in need.

As part of the launch of the Nine West Vintage America Collection, Nine West and Soles4Souls are stepping up their partnership to collect gently worn footwear to benefit those in need. From September 9, 2009 through September 24, 2009 customers who bring in a pair of gently worn shoes into any Nine West retail store nationwide will receive 15% off any purchase of $75 or more, which can be used online or in-store. All 192 participating Nine West stores will donate the recycled shoes directly to Soles4Souls.
In keeping with the authentic spirit of the Nine West Vintage America Collection, Nine West is proud to support Soles4Souls and help those in need worldwide with the gift of shoes. Nine West and Soles4Souls will work together to raise awareness and inspire others to make a contribution.
"Soles4Souls' mission is for people to use the shoes taking up space in their closets to change the world one pair at a time," Elsey said. "We are pleased to be partnering with Nine West and encourage all of our other partners to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call to action. Donating gently worn shoes is one of the most simplest yet profound gifts you can make, and it will greatly improve someone's life in the most difficult of times."

"As part of our ongoing partnership with Soles4Souls, we are thrilled to bring this program to Nine West consumers nationwide and enable them to join in the mission of recycling shoes and giving back to the community," said Jay Friedman, CEO Jones Retail Corporation. "Philanthropy has always been part of our company's DNA and with the help of our consumers we anticipate donating a lot of shoes to those in need."

Every 13 seconds, Soles4Souls, Inc. gives away a pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people who truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their 'gently worn' shoes at a participating location. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. Soles4Souls can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life. To donate or for more information visit http://www.giveshoes.org/.

Kellie on the Today Show Talking About Soles4Souls

Kellie Pickler appeared on the Today Show last Wednesday morning. The country star talked about her new single, her upcoming USO Tour and her involvement with the Nashville-based Soles4Souls shoe charity. Pickler also discussed her Fearless Tour 2009 with friend Taylor Swift (their concert was sold out last Thursday at New York’s Madison Square Garden).

Continuing her support of Soles4Souls, Kellie teamed with Ladies’ Home Journal magazine to collect new and gently worn shoes on Thursday before the show. The drop point for the shoes was located at the entrance to the Garden and was open from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Nashville-based Soles4Souls collects and distributes free footwear (both new and 'gently worn') to people in need around the world. Since its inception, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs -- currently one pair every 13 seconds -- to people in 125 countries, including Honduras, Romania, Thailand, The Sudan and the United States.

In addition to donations from the footwear industry, Soles4Souls has received shoes and support from Scarlett Johansson, Zach Braff, Billy Joel, Jessica Simpson, Donald Faison, Stevie Nicks and many other celebrities, professional athletes and musicians.

The organization was created by former footwear executive Wayne Elsey, who stepped down from his position to run the charity on a daily basis. He was moved to action during the Asian Tsunami when he watched a news report that focused on a single shoe on the beach. He rallied the footwear industry to donate 250,000 pairs of shoes to the areas affected. When Hurricane Katrina roared ashore in September 2005, Wayne and his newly formed charity donated over 1 Million pairs of shoes to the victims in the Gulf Region. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

WOMEN'S TRAIL HALF MARATHON & SHOE DONATION SITE

Women of all ages are invited to The Dirt Inspires Women's Trail Half Marathon on Sunday at Nisene Marks National Park.

The all-women event, created by Terri Schneider and Penni Bengtson to encourage women to participate in trail running, is the first of its kind.

The event is the only "Go Green" event in the area, as it promotes car pooling and requires all runners to carry their own water bottles. Participants are also encouraged to donate used shoes to Soles4Souls.org.

Prize money will be offered to open, masters, and grand masters' division winners. Schneider is also offering a free "Trail Running is for Everyone" clinic at Fleet Feet in Aptos and an 8-week training program that can be purchased with an entry fee.

See Kellie Pickler Live, Help The Less Fortunate Get Free Shoes

Add Kellie Pickler's name to the list of stars who do more good than evil with their fame. At her Madison Square Garden Show with Taylor Swift, she's encouraging fans to bring new and gently-worn shoes to help support her partnership of Soles4Souls, an organization dedicated to distributing donated footwear to people all over the world. (Ladies Home Journal is also teaming with Pickler to assist in the footwear drive.)

Says Pickler of the org, "I love shoes but they are more than just a fashion statement, they are a necessity and not everyone has access to them because of financial reasons or natural disaster. Whatever the situation, Soles4Souls is there to help and I'm glad to lend my support. Thanks to the wonderful people from Ladies' Home Journal who are volunteering their time to come out and collect the shoes that people are giving." So far, Soles4Souls has gifted more than five million pairs to people in 125 countries. So donate a pair before you kick up your heels at Pickler's concert, and add your own name to the official do-gooder list.

Get $5 Toward a New Pair of Shoes at Runner's Depot by Donating Your Old Shoes to Soles4Souls

Got new running sneakers? That doesn’t mean you should scrap the old ones. Give the aged runners the opportunity to live a rich afterlife by donating to Soles4Souls. This non-profit company collects your old shoes and creates opportunities for thousands of needy people all over the world.

The Soles4Souls bin is available at several permanent donation locations (click on the link and enter your zip code to find the nearest location). If you choose to drop your shoes off at the Soles4Souls bin at Runner's Depot, you not only make room in your closet, but you also get a $5 discount on the next purchase at the Runner's Depot store. It’s a win-win, folks.

Video of Mike Dirnt

Check out this video of Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt talking about making his own shoe and helping children through Soles4Souls.

Soles4Souls donates hundreds of shoes to Royal Family Kids Camps delighting children across America!

Foster children at the Colorado Royal Family Kids’ Camp were startled to see fire trucks pulling into their camp — and then delighted when they saw a familiar camp counselor, Ms. Caelyn, on one of the trucks waving to them. The firemen showed them all the features of the truck, talked to them about firefighting and gave each camper a ride. Then, kids started to hear the rotors of an approaching helicopter. The kids started jumping up and down, screaming and waving at the team from the local “Flight for Life.” What a day! But wait — there was still more ... The firefighters lined all the children up in front of the helicopter and the Flight for Life team distributed a NEW PAIR of SHOES to every single camper!

Shoe charity Soles4Souls donated hundreds of pairs for the boys and girls who attended Royal Family Kids Camps across the country this summer. As the excited shouts and laughter from the Colorado kids made clear, this gift of shoes was a wonderful blessing and will be treasured!! We would like to thank Soles4Souls, all the wonderful firefighters, the Flight for Life teams and all others who donate their time to entertain and delight our campers each summer. Firetrucks, a helicopter and new shoes! The children from this Colorado Camp were amazed and delighted by an afternoon of wonders — in a beautiful setting near Pike’s Peak.

‘The [barefoot] Church Has Left the Building’

The congregation of First Baptist Church in Middleburg left their shoes at the altar...

MIDDLEBURG (FBW)–The congregation of First Baptist Church in Middleburg left church Aug. 9 barefoot after leaving their shoes at the altar.

The donation of more than 800 pairs of shoes was part of the church’s current emphasis, “The Church Has Left the Building.”

Pastor Alan Floyd told Florida Baptist Witness he was in the midst of preparing a sermon on the Good Samaritan in which he would tell the church “real love involves spontaneity and sacrifice.” The sermon was one in a series, “Love Loud.”

Floyd said he came across a statistic which said 300 million people wake up each day without any shoes.
Can this be?” he remembers asking himself.

The website of soles4souls (www.soles4souls.org) invites people to send in their “slightly used shoes,” so Floyd decided to surprise the church—even his wife, he said—with an invitation to donate their shoes.

Even though the church was told that those wearing “special shoes” could give money to buy another pair, about 800 pairs were collected Sunday, and donors brought more into the church office on Monday.

“I actually had to give away two pairs of my own shoes because we are in four services in two venues,” Floyd said.

“The Good Samaritan did not say, ‘Well, let me go take care of my business and get some old clothes on before I help the man dying in the ditch.’”

“The Church Has Left the Building” also includes building a handicap-accessible home for a local single mother and her three children. The building project involves the entire congregation, Floyd said, “even our preschoolers.”

Shoe-be, shoe-be, do: Country starlet Kellie Pickler wants your shoes, New York City

When country-newcomer Kellie Pickler sang her way to the top of the charts with “Red High Heels,” a tune about kicking her no-good man to the curb and then donning her favorite shoes for a night out on the town, the feel-good sentiment about shoes was for real.

That is, the former American Idol contestant-turned-country starlet really digs shoes, and that said, she wants everyone to have at least one good pair.

Growing up, Pickler's socio-economic status was modest at best, she has shared, and while these days she can afford to shoe shop--one of her favorite pastimes, by the way--at high-end retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, she understands what it's like to go without life's basics, including decent footwear.

With that, Kellie will continue her support of Soles4Souls on Thursday, Aug. 27, by joining with Ladies’ Home Journal to collect new and gently worn shoes before her show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The drop point for the shoes will be located at entrance to the Garden and will be open 5–9 p.m.

“I love shoes, but they are more than just a fashion statement," Pickler says, "they are a necessity and not everyone has access to them because of financial reasons or natural disaster."

As for her work on behalf of the Nashville-based Soles4Souls, which collects and distributes free footwear to people in need around the world, "Whatever the situation, Soles4Souls is there to help and I’m glad to lend my support," she adds. "Thanks to the wonderful people from Ladies’ Home Journal who are volunteering their time to come out and collect the shoes that people are giving.”

Pickler's upcoming performance in the Big Apple finds her joining her gal pal, Taylor Swift, on the latter's Fearless Tour for a sold-out show at the Garden. The pair wrote Pickler’s last single, “Best Days Of Your Life,” which has sold more than 700,000 digital downloads and peaked inside the top 10 on the country charts.

Celebs help out Soles4Souls shoe charity

Soles4Souls is attracting some serious celebrity muscle to its cause. CEO Wayne Elsey told Insider that the charity would introduce a new celebrity spokesperson every four to six weeks to help raise consumer awareness about the organization and the need for donated shoes. “It goes back to our strategic direction to get individuals to engage [with Soles4Souls] and get plugged in,” he said. Next up is Kellie Pickler, who is performing at Madison Square Garden with Taylor Swift on Aug. 27. Prior to the event, Pickler will promote Soles4Souls and the shoe drive tied to the concert during her appearance on “The Today Show.” Elsey said he hopes to gather 75,000 to 80,000 pairs of shoes at the show. Pickler follows in the footsteps of “Scrubs” stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who earlier this month collaborated on a video for 50000shoes.com, a drive to collect 50,000 pairs of shoes.

Goodwill First Baptist Church collecting shoes for shoe charity Soles4Souls

Goodwill First Baptist Church in Madison is collecting shoes for those in need as part of the Soles4Souls program. The church is accepting gently worn shoes, which will be given to those in need, such as victims of natural disaster and those living in poverty.

Shoes can be dropped off at the church at 1036 K-Fork Road through Aug. 28.

Soles4Souls, based in Nashville, Tenn., has provided more than 4.3 million pairs of shoes in more than 125 countries. For more information visit www.giveshoes.org.

Green Day's Dirnt designs shoe for charity Soles4Souls

Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt has collaborated with Macbeth Footwear to create a new shoe design, with all royalties from the product going to Nashville-based Soles4Souls, a charity devoted to giving free shoes to those in need that has distributed more than 5 million pairs.

"It's great to have a really incredible artist in the rock community as a part of our family," says Jimmy Throgmorton, creative marketing director at Macbeth Footwear.

The "45 RPM" shoe arrived in June, about a month after the release of Green Day's new album, "21st Century Breakdown." So far, it has sold "a couple thousand pairs," according to Throgmorton.

The black 45 RPM shoe is available in high-top or low-top, with distressed gold details. "[Dirnt] was extremely involved--almost more than any other artists I've worked with--as far as the design process," Throgmorton says. The shoe is entirely vegan-crafted, and animal products weren't used in the design or distribution process.

The shoe is available through the fall at select Journeys stores and its Web site (Journeys.com), American Rag and other retailers. The price ranges between $65 and $80, depending on the model. A third version is a high-top canvas shoe, available exclusively at Journeys.

DAVID´S SHOES OF BEVERLY HILLS ANNOUNCES SHOE DRIVE TO BENEFIT SOLES4SOULS™

Southern California residents are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes for people in need.

California – Every 13 seconds, Soles4Souls, Inc. gives away another pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people that truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their ´gently worn´ shoes at a participating location, such as David´s Shoes.

Through September 20th, Soles4Souls and David´s Shoes will be collecting your gently worn footwear and/or monetary donations to ship the shoes to a person in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. The charity can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life.

"We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time," Elsey said. "We need our partners in Southern California to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call for action. It´s one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone´s life in the most difficult of times," he said.

David´s Shoes owner David Jassem is excited for the opportunity to work with Soles4Souls again. Jassem first learned of the nonprofit in 2006 through the WSA, the World Shoe Association, and jumped at the chance to join the effort to collect shoes for donation. "Soles4Souls is a great charity," Jassem says, "and the response from our customers has been overwhelming! In the past few years we have collected hundreds of pairs of shoes from customers who are eager to clean out their closets. Customers love having the chance to do some good while updating their wardrobes with the season´s newest looks."

To reward our customers, David´s Shoes will be giving a 20% discount on a new pair of shoes with your donation.

Locations:

David's Shoes Beverly Hills
373 North Bedford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.273.4075

David's Shoes South Bay
Plaza El Segundo
2008-C East Park Place
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.322.7463

David's Shoes Westlake
The Promenade at Westlake
140 Promenade Way
Westlake Village, CA 91362
805.374.9949

Redlands church fundraiser also aids shoe charity Soles4Souls

To raise social awareness as well as money for its activities, the Redlands Church of Christ is partnering through Aug. 30 with the national Soles4Souls shoe charity, which provides shoes for people in need around the world.

Church Youth Minister Jeff Partain found the organization, based in Nashville, Tenn., online while researching service projects for his youth group, which numbers 15 to 20 members.

"We felt that this was a good thing to expose our teens to as well as show the community we are reaching out so that we may add to our membership," Partain said.

"At this time of year, when we are scrambling to buy back-to-school items for our kids, we thought this fundraiser would be a good way to raise awareness about those in need of the most basic living essentials," he said.

Like many other schools and organizations, Redlands Church of Christ uses fundraising programs to generate revenue for its operations and goals. The Soles4Souls program provides an alternative to traditional fundraisers, so students can raise money while making a difference in the lives of others, Partain said.

After a kick-off at the beginning of August, students have been collecting monetary donations from family, friends, teachers and neighbors to buy new Soles4Souls clogs or flip-flops. Soles4Souls then ships the shoes to people in need.

"They have helped people in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina as well as needy children in New York City," Partain said.

For every pair of $5 flip-flops or $10 clogs sponsored, the church receives 40 percent of the proceeds from Soles4Souls, along with incentives for students and the programs they are representing, according to the organization's Web site.

Partain is running a contest in his youth group to reward those who bring in the most money with results to be announced at a Sept. 13 event.

Those who wish can visit the church's Web site, www.redlandscoc.org, to make a contribution.

The Redlands Church of Christ youth group also is raising funds for its own programs, Partain said.

"With this program, we are hoping to further plant the seed of philanthropy in our youth, congregation and community," he said.

Orphans in South Africa Receive Shoes

The ASHE Foundation, a partner of Soles4Souls, is an organization committed to changing the lives of the millions of children in African nations who have been orphaned by the devastating effects caused by HIV/AIDS.

Earlier this month, volunteers and members of The ASHE Foundation distributed 3,000 pairs of shoes to orphans in need in South Africa. We received the heart warming story and photos from Anita Campbell, the Director of Operations at The ASHE Foundation.

Greetings Soles4Souls,

On August 6th thru August 13th, The ASHE Foundation traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa and distributed over 3000 pairs of shoes to orphaned children in the city of Limpopo and Soweto, South Africa. The 1611 pairs of shoes that were donated by Souls4Soles were distributed to orphaned children in the village of Ga-Dikgale, Limpopo.

CEO Dion Fearon, myself and International singer and songwriter Kenny Lattimore washed the feet and distributed shoes to orphaned children attending the drop in centers in the villages of Limpopo, South Africa. Over 2000 orphaned children who are being raised by their older siblings (usually under the age of 17) attend these drop in centers to receive food and counseling. The children have lost their parents from the devastating effects of AIDS.

We were able wash the feet of many of the children and place new shoes donated by Soles4Souls on their feet. They were thrilled to have their feet washed and receive a new pair of shoes. Thank you for your generous donation of shoes that helped us change the lives of many children two feet at a time.

Best,

Antina Campbell
The ASHÉ Foundation
"The Power to Make Things Happen"

Kellie Pickler and Ladies' Home Journal Massive Shoe Collection for Soles4Souls

Kellie Pickler’s affinity for shoes is well documented. Her 2006 debut single kicked a no-account-ex-boyfriend to the curb in “Red High Heels,” and her current, self titled album closes with “Going Out In Style,” which expresses her desire for her final resting place...having her ashes spread in shoe department of Saks Fifth Avenue. But Pickler, whose modest upbringing allowed for little more than the basics, understands the realities of living without.


With that, Kellie continues her support of Soles4Souls and will team with Ladies’ Home Journal the “Look Good. Do Good. Feel Great” magazine, to collect new and gently worn shoes on Thursday, August 27 before her show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The drop point for the shoes will be located at entrance to the Garden and will be open from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

On Soles4Souls Pickler said, “I love shoes but they are more than just a fashion statement, they are a necessity and not everyone has access to them because of financial reasons or natural disaster. Whatever the situation, Soles4Souls is there to help and I’m glad to lend my support. Thanks to the wonderful people from Ladies’ Home Journal who are volunteering their time to come out and collect the shoes that people are giving.”

Pickler joins her friend Taylor Swift on the Fearless Tour 2009 for the sold out show at New York’s Madison Square Garden on August 27. Pickler and Swift wrote Pickler’s last single, “Best Days Of Your Life,” which has sold more than 700,000 digital downloads and peaked inside the Top 10.

Church Focuses on Providing Shoes

Baxter Huxley was watching television with his wife one night when he saw a commercial about a company that matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes for a child in need.

That got the minister of Andrew United Methodist Church in Kathleen, GA browsing the Web in search of something similar his church could do. Huxley found Soles4Souls and started a shoe drive at Andrew UMC to help those in need.

Church members contributed almost 100 pairs of shoes during the first two weeks of the shoe drive, Huxley said. He said he hopes church members bring about one pair per person. That would bring the total to 175.

The shoe drive continues until the end of the month. When it ends, volunteers will use rubber bands to keep the shoe pairs together. They plan to send the shoes to the Soles4Souls warehouse in Alabama sometime in mid-September.

The church will pay for postage to the warehouse, Huxley said. Once the shoes are sorted and ready for shipment, Soles4Souls will pay for the postage for distributing the shoes, either in other countries or here in the United States, he said.

Andrew UMC’s mission is to be “the regional church with the worldwide vision.”

In fulfilling that calling, members have built a well in Kenya, valued at about $17,000, that provides clean water to 5,000 people, Huxley said.

Huxley and church members also have worked with Houston County Habitat for Humanity to build a home. The 12 churches for which Huxley served as a liaison took about half the time it normally takes to build a Habitat house.

People of “all faiths or no faith” may participate in the shoe drive, Huxley said.

Members of the community who wish to donate can bring shoes to Andrew United Methodist Church, 2430 Ga. 127, Kathleen. To contact the church, email Baxter Huxley at bhurley99@windstream.net.

Baseball Team Collecting Shoes

The Evansville Otters in Evansville, IN along with St. Patrick's Run of Luck will hold a shoe donation drive for Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls will then donate NEW shoes to Evansville Christian Life Center and the Dream Center.

The shoe drive will take place on September 6th when the Otters play their final game of the 2009 season against the Gateway Grizzles.

The St. Patrick's Run of Luck committee is asking for the communities help in donating gently worn shoes in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record Longest Shoes Chain by collecting 10,000 pairs of shoes. Please take some time to clean out your closet and donate at least one pair of shoes knowing you can make a significant difference in the quality of life for someone in need.

For more information on the St. Patrick's Run of Luck visit http://www.runofluck7k.com/.

USA Triathlon helps Soles4Souls

USA Triathlon is teaming with Cold Stone Creamery to gather unwanted sneakers that will be donated to Soles4Souls.

The project is being held in association with the USA Triathlon Age Group and Elite National Championships, which will take place in Tuscaloosa, AL on Saturday, Aug. 22.

USAT is asking donors to place unwanted and worn out running shoes in a 4-foot container in the Cold Stone Creamery at 1130 University Blvd. For every pair donated, a person will receive a buy-one-get-one-free coupon at Cold Stone. Donations will continue until the container is full or Aug. 20, whichever comes first.

Athletes who are annual USA Triathlon members (including all 1,000 athletes in the race here) will then be allowed to enter a contest to guess the number of shoes in the container. The winner will receive a USAT prize pack valued at $1,180.

Christ UMC shoe drive to benefit Soles 4 Souls

Salisbury residents are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes for people in need.

SALISBURY — Every 17 seconds, Soles4Souls Inc. gives away another pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people that truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their ‘gently worn’ shoes at a participating location, such as Christ Church.

For a limited time, Soles4Souls and Christ United Methodist Church will be collecting your gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to a person in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. The charity can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life.

“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” Elsey said. “We need our partners in Christ Church to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call for action. It’s one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times,” he said.

Titans Host Buccaneers in Preseason Home Opener Saturday at LP Field - Bring Shoes To Donate!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans return home this week to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first preseason game of 2009 at LP Field (capacity 69,143). Kickoff for the LP Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts Game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, Aug. 15.

The game marks the 11th preseason opener at LP Field, which opened in 1999. The Titans are 13-7 all-time in the preseason at LP Field, including a 7-3 mark in home preseason openers. For the first time, the Titans and Louisiana Pacific Corporation (LP) are partnering with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the preseason opener. LP, which upon becoming a naming rights sponsor in 2006 began the tradition of honoring a non-profit during the preseason, has donated 500 game tickets to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Representatives of LP and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be recognized during the game with an honorary game ball.

Additionally, fans are encouraged to bring “gently-worn” shoes and donate them outside of the stadium gates in the Tennessee Titans Soles4Souls Shoe Drive.

Copperhead Grille Partners with The Shoe Box to support Soles4Souls

Copperhead Grille announced that they have partnered with The Shoe Box to host a Soles4Souls fundraising benefit at both Copperhead Grille locations in Allen and Bethlehem, PA.

The event will be held August 18, 2009 from 5 pm to 8 pm with drink and food specials for all attendees. There is no admission fee, just bring a pair of shoes (mens, ladies, and children’s shoes accepted) with a rubber band around the shoes. No shoe boxes are necessary.

Copperhead Grille in Allentown is located at 1731 Airport Road and Copperhead Grille in Bethlehem is located at 5737 Route 378.

Copperhead Grille is the Lehigh Valley’s 1st Sports Grille, a place where food and sports merge to form a mini vacation from the everyday grind. Copperhead Grille specializes in hand-cut steaks, fall off the bone ribs, and jumbo lump crab cakes.

The Shoe Box is a collection point for Soles4Souls and they are located at 4787 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104. They are all about bringing ’something different’ to the Lehigh Valley. The Shoe Box started up in 2006 by two sisters, Leigh Breon of Savannah and Lisa Mundy of Allentown.

Soles4Souls to Host Shoe Drive in August

Soles4Souls is collecting new shoes from shoppers at Opry Mills shopping mall during August. Shoes will be donated to the community.

Shoppers who donate new shoes will receive an Opry Mills coupon book. Shoes can be brought to the mall's guest services area.

Ten shoes autographed by celebrities shoes will be displayed during the month at OFF 5th Saks 5th Avenue and will be up for bid on eBay from noon Aug. 21 until noon Aug. 31.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, Soles4Souls will celebrate its Guinness world record that was set when the local shoe charity broke the mark for longest chain of shoes, made with nearly 20,000 pairs. Soles4Souls made the chain from its collection of new and gently used shoes last holiday season.

Activities scheduled include:

• 1-3 p.m. — Radio remote from Mix 92.9 FM

• 1-2 p.m. — The Fish, 94 FM, will present an artist on stage.

• 2:15 p.m. — Wayne Elsey, Soles4Souls CEO, will speak and be presented with the Guinness world record certificate.

• 2:30 p.m. — Tiffany Johnson performs

TENNESSEE TITANS TO HOST SHOE DRIVE TO BENEFIT SOLES4SOULS™ Inc. at LP FIELD ON August 15th

Titans Fans are asked to “STEP UP,” Clean Out their Closets and Recycle their Gently Worn Shoes

Nashville, TN – August 6, 2009 – The Tennessee Titans will again host a shoe drive to benefit Nashville-based shoe charity Soles4Souls as the Titans take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at LP Field on Saturday, August 15th, at 7:00pm. The Titans are asking fans to bring 'gently worn' shoes to the game and drop them in the seven locations outside each gate of LP Field beginning at 5:00pm through kick-off.

“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” says Wayne Elsey, the Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls™ Inc., who is accustomed to seeing 32,000 pairs of shoes come in and out of the charity’s warehouses each week. “We need our partners in our hometown of Nashville to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call for action. It’s one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times.”

The mission of Soles4Souls is to impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Currently, there are over 300 million children and 1.5 billion adults worldwide who are without footwear. A decent pair of footwear can help prevent puncture wounds, worms, disease and even amputation. It can lead to education opportunities for children and employment prospects for adults. The gift of shoes is profound for victims of natural disasters and those living in abject poverty. The charity’s mission is the primary reason behind its success.

This drive is the first of the Titans annual stadium drive collections for the 2009 season. Additional drives will follow, including collections of undergarments for a women’s shelter, school supplies, cell phones, coats, food, baby items and toys to benefit various non-profit agencies and those in need.

105.1 'The Buzz' Highlights Green Day's Mike Dirnt's Shoe Donation to Soles4Souls

Portland, Oregon radio station shares shoe story with its listeners. Green Day's Mike Dirnt is designing his own pair of shoes and giving all the proceeds to Soles4Souls.

Dexter Training Concepts Seeking Shoes

Rhode Island residents are invited to recycle their ‘gently worn’ shoes for people in need.

Working with Soles4Souls, Dexter Training Concepts, 1543 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, will accept shoes and cash donations throughout August and September.

Those who contribute will receive a free Protein Smoothie!

Rules of the protein smoothie giveaway: 1 smoothie per visit. Offer is good only until smoothie's last. You do not have to drink the smoothie. Soles4Souls is not responsible for heartburn from the smoothie. Flavors and nutritional facts of the smoothie are subject to change. Smoothie's cannot be exchanged for protein bars. Please drink smoothies responsibly.

New Balance Fox Valley Shoe Drive Under Way

New Balance Fox Valley in Appleton, Wisconsin is hosting a shoe drive now through Aug. 31 to benefit Soles4Souls. New Balance Fox Valley will be collecting gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to people in need.

Footwear may be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays at New Balance Fox Valley, 1861 N. Casaloma Drive, (Trasino Village), Appleton.

During the shoe drive, New Balance Fox Valley offers a 10 percent off coupon to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The coupon can be used at New Balance Fox Valley and Vanderloop Shoes locations.

Mount Werner Classic Goes Green

The Mount Werner Classic in Steamboat Springs, Colorado has made a huge effort to be more of an environmentally friendly event. The 5 and 12 mile race has completely eliminated cups from this year’s race by using handheld water bottles. They will also use biodegradable flatwear and napkins, and organic food will be served.

Other efforts include recycling old trail and road running shoes at the start. Gently worn shoes will be donated to Soles4Souls.

Preregistration is available at www.runningseries.com or until noon today at Ski Haus. Race-day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday in Gondola Square. The 12-mile run begins at 8 a.m. with the 5-mile run to start at 8:30 a.m.

Green Day's Mike Dirnt Designs Shoe for Soles4Souls

Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt has hooked up with Macbeth Footwear on a ‘studio project’ collaboration known as the 45 RPM, a new shoe designed to reflect Dirnt’s edge and style. The really cool part is that Dirnt is donating all royalties from sales to Soles4Souls.

The “45 RPM” Studio Project shoe hit the streets worldwide in June 2009, following the release of Green Day’s recent album, 21st Century Breakdown.

Using footwear lingo, the 45 RPM comes in the lax low top or aggressive high top – either way it’s totally rock n’ roll, which is not technically footwear lingo.

Both shoe options are 100 percent vegan-crafted, containing zero animal products in the construction and distribution. The shoe comes in black, but is highlighted with distressed gold lining and eyelets, and even showcases custom “45 RPM” record artwork.

“We are so excited to be a part of this incredible promotion,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “We are very grateful for Mike Dirnt’s generosity and encourage everyone to check out the 45 RPM,” he said.

The “45 RPM” is selling at select Journeys stores and online at http://www.journeys.com/.