Soles4Souls on Commercial Appeal

Soles4Souls has been featured on CommercialAppeal.com, the information source for residents in Memphis, TN.


Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, Snells Orthotics and Prosthetics, Reebok and Red Wing Shoes partnered with two national organizations, "Soles4Souls" and "Our Hearts to Your Soles," to provide homeless Memphians with foot care and new, properly fitting shoes.


Dr. David Richardson, Dr. Greer Richardson and Dr. Cameron Knight spent a day at Memphis Union Mission providing foot exams, foot care and hygiene.

Most of the 140 homeless and uninsured people were able to be treated on site, but some were taken to an emergency room.


Sammie Wicks of Snells Orthotics and Prosthetics fit each person for the proper size and type of shoe.

Each was given a pair of either tennis shoes, donated by Reebok, or work boots, donated by Red Wing Shoes.

A Letter from Charleston, SC

The letters of gratitude and success continue to pour in from the footwear donation to U.S. shelters held this Thanksgiving. Physicians and volunteers from across twenty-five U.S. cities partnered with Soles4Souls and 'Our hearts to Your Soles' to offer free shoes and foot screenings for hundreds of homeless people. More than 2,500 pairs of new shoes were delivered to homeless shelters in U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, New Orleans, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Rochester, and others. Here is just one letter received from a foot specialist in Charleston, SC.





Dear Soles4Souls,


My name is Blake Ohlson and I am an orthopaedist in Charleston, SC. I am writing you to thank you for the shoes you provided to our men in need at the shelter. We participated last Tuesday with about 7 volunteers that included physical therapists, orthotists, medical assistants, and myself.


We performed foot exams and provided shoes for over 100 men. The event was a huge success and everyone was extremely grateful. We look forward to making this a yearly tradition.


Incidentally, we attracted the attention of both the city newspaper and television. It is my hope that through increased exposure the program will continue to grow.


Sincerely,
Blake



Blake Ohlson MD
Orthopaedic Specialists of Charleston

St. Stephens Services Receive Shoes and Screenings

St. Stephen's Human Services in Minneapolis, MN is an organization dedicated to ending homelessness. They operate a shelter, housing, employment, advocacy, outreach, and recovery services to those who are homeless or living in extreme poverty. Thousands of people benefit each year.

With the cold winter months approaching, St. Stephen's wanted to make sure the area's less fortunate were provided with warm, sturdy shoes. Through the support of Soles4Souls and Our Hearts to Soles, dozens of physicians and volunteers gave free foot screenings and footwear to hundreds of homeless people.

"People tend to overlook foot and ankle problems until they have disabling pain," stated Dr. Lance Silverman, an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist. "While many wear inappropriate footwear, the homeless population suffers more because they do not have the resources to help themselves. Our goal is to get them back on track to good health."

The majority of foot and ankle problems stem from chronic overuse, obesity or improper shoe wear. The homeless in the Twin cities are even at a greater risk. Winter snow and ice increase the number of injuries from slips and falls while the cold temperatures add serious risk of frostbite. Soles4Souls provided the proper footwear needed to survive the bitter cold.

"I am so thankful to Soles4Souls for their generous donation," said Amber Becker with St. Stephen's Services. "I was fortunate enough to witness the long lines of people waiting for new shoes, tossing out their old torn ones and dancing in the new! It really does change lives, and not just those of the homeless."