It's a perfect tri-fecta of cleaning out your closet, getting a discount, and helping out those less fortunate.
Whole Earth Provision, an outdoor store with 4 locations in Texas is holding a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls. From now until May 2, all customers who bring in a pair of gently worn shoes to donate toward the effort will receive $10 off a purchase of Clarks, Privo, or Indigo brand footwear. For store locations, click here.
About Whole Earth Provision
Over the course of thirty-eight years and the openings of six additional stores across Texas, Whole Earth Provision Company has grown to include extensive shoe and clothing departments for casual and active wear, gear to equip almost any outdoor need, accessories like Swiss Army knives, sunglasses and compasses. For more information visit http://www.wholeearthprovision.com
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Timberland and Soles4Souls Launch Shoe Donation Program
Timberland announced a new consumer promotion with long-time partner Soles4Souls to help provide free footwear to those in need, both in the United States and around the world.Beginning on April 23, customers will be invited to drop off any pair of gently worn shoes at 68 Timberland retail locations around the U.S. in exchange for a 10% discount off of a new pair of Timberland footwear. All brands of men's, women's and children's footwear will be accepted for donation.
"We are proud to have donated more than 75,000 pairs of Timberland footwear to Soles4Souls over the past three years," said John Trott, vice-president of consumer direct for Timberland North America. "This new, expanded in-store program gives our customers the opportunity to join in and provide footwear - a basic, but essential, amenity that many of us take for granted - to those in need around the world."
The new footwear donation program will be promoted through online banners, in-store merchandising and public relations efforts. Timberland's partnership with Soles4Souls is part of its ongoing commitment to service, community and sustainability initiatives.
Over the past 16 years, Timberland employees around the world have used more than 500,000 hours of Path of Service program time to engage in community-building activities such as Serv-a-palooza and Earth Day initiatives.
To learn more about Timberland or to find a store near you, please visit www.timberland.com. To learn more about becoming an Earthkeeper, visit www.earthkeeper.com.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Camp Barefoot Partners with Soles4Souls
Camp Barefoot Music Festival, a grassroots, family style music and art event, will take place August 13-15, 2009 at the scenic Cove Campground in Gore, Virginia.
Heybro Productions, LLC, continues to produce a grassroots festival supporting the regional and local music scene up and down the eastern seaboard. Camp Barefoot 3 will see Heybro expand their focus to bringing in an array of national talents as well. Numerous bands on multiple stages, with no overlapping national acts, the three day Camp Barefoot event promises to deliver an intimate musical experience.
This year Camp Barefoot will not only bring great music to the discerning festival goer but will also partner with Soles4Souls to collect donations of new and gently used shoes for those in need or those affected by natural disasters.
Tickets are limited to a max capacity of 2,300 people. Advance ticket prices are: 2-day tickets are $75 w/ camping included, 3 day tickets are $100 w/ camping included. There are also 75 VIP passes available for $175 w/ camping included. Camp Barefoot 3 will also encompass a variety of vendors providing food and arts and crafts.
The lineup includes…2 nights of Lotus (one night will be late night)
Perpetual Groove
Toubab Krewe
John Brown’s Body
Hackensaw Boys
The Breakfast (2 nights)
U-Melt
The Bridge
Jazzam (2 nights)
The Boogie Hustlers
Midnight Spaghetti & the Chocolate G Strings
Modern Groove Syndicate
Existor
Basshound
Segway
And more
For more festival information check out http://www.campbarefoot.org/
Central Baptist Sponsors Shoe Collection
Central Baptist Church in Anderson, KY is sponsoring a Soles4Souls shoe collection for the second consecutive year. Any and all types and sizes of shoes are needed.
The breezeway at the church will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for drop-offs until May 15. The church is located on Bypass North near the Anderson-Franklin county line across the road from the cell phone tower.
The breezeway at the church will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for drop-offs until May 15. The church is located on Bypass North near the Anderson-Franklin county line across the road from the cell phone tower.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Track and Field Team Collecting Shoes
The Geneva High School girls track and field team in Chicago, IL is hosting a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls. The shoe drive will run for about month, beginning Monday April 13, and ending Friday, May 8. Area residents were invited to recycle their "gently worn" shoes for people in need.
Throughout the shoe drive the girls track team will be hosting two home meets, last Saturday, and May 8. There will be drop off boxes for the shoes at Burgess Field on those two days. Otherwise, shoes can be dropped off in the bins in the high schools gymnasiums during normal school hours.
Throughout the shoe drive the girls track team will be hosting two home meets, last Saturday, and May 8. There will be drop off boxes for the shoes at Burgess Field on those two days. Otherwise, shoes can be dropped off in the bins in the high schools gymnasiums during normal school hours.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Pay it Forward Fest set for Saturday
Hayrides, games, karaoke and a guest appearance from Tennessee Titans mascot T-RAC will highlight the second annual Pay it Forward Festival in downtown Nashville this Saturday.The event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tennessee Children's Home on Main Street and benefits six charities: Curesearch (childhood cancer research), Soles4Souls, the Tennessee Children's Home, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Teen Challenge and the future Arborvitae Home in Spring Hill.
Admission is a canned food item or a pair of new or gently used shoes. Money will be raised through donations, sponsors, nominal ticket prices for games and a silent auction with items and services donated by area businesses.
"All this is being done just by using the resources we have in the community," said event organizer Darrell Digby.
All money raised and donated items will go to support the charities and a few local families that have recently been through tragedy.
Last year's event raised $3,300 and collected 750 pairs of shoes, Digby said. This year, volunteers hope to raise $30,000 and collect 3,000 pairs of shoes. Digby hopes that's possible since the first year was planned in just five weeks.
"This year our goals are much higher because we've had a whole year to plan for it," he said.
Digby said he is working with Soles4Souls to help distribute the shoes as well as to deliver money raised to the other charities.
Julie Stauss, operations manager for the Nashville office of Soles4Souls, said the organization plans to have a vehicle at the Tennessee Children's Homes a few days before the festival for shoe donations.
"Darrell has been a delight to work with," she said. "The hardest thing is getting the word out, and he's helped us get so many (collection) boxes out in the community. I think he's already got a half a garage full of shoes collected."
"Darrell has been a delight to work with," she said. "The hardest thing is getting the word out, and he's helped us get so many (collection) boxes out in the community. I think he's already got a half a garage full of shoes collected."
Stauss said they are happy to work with Digby until he secures nonprofit status for future events and applauded the festival's concept, which she said fits Souls4Souls' mission.
"Financially, it may be hard to give cash right now, but everybody has shoes they can donate," she said.
Digby, who has lived in Spring Hill since 2001, said the movie Pay it Forward inspired him to plan last year's event with friends.
"I don't have a whole lot of money to change somebody's life, but I can do something," he said. "I woke up in the middle of the night, and this idea was in my head and I could not get it out. That's it. I just want this to be successful and really take off."
For more information, e-mail digby@realtracs.com or visit http://www.payitforwardfestival.org/.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
5th Grader Helps Bring in 800 Pairs
Anna Dailey is following in her sister's footsteps, so to speak.
Two years ago, when Julia Dailey was in fifth grade she organized a shoe drive at Hampton Cove Elementary School in Huntsville, AL for Soles4Souls. Julia collected dozens of pairs of shoes, and Anna, who is now in the same fifth-grade gifted program at Hampton Cove her older sister was in, decided she wanted to organize her own drive.
"I remember her coming home every day and telling us how many shoes had been donated," Anna said.
Anna and her friend, Audrey Corbett, had just done a count of about 300 pairs of shoes donated at the school. The Fleet Feet shoe store also contributed another 500 pairs to Anna's drive, bringing the total to about 800 pairs of shoes. The shoes ranged from worn athletic shoes to barely worn dressy sandals.
"My teacher brought in high heels," said Anna about her homeroom teacher Nancy Bass.
To get the project started, Anna first had to write a letter to her principal, Dr. Fillis McGhee, asking for permission. She then contacted Soles4Souls to get collection boxes and a banner to announce the drive. She wrote a note to go out in the folders that go home with the school's 1,000 students every Wednesday, and appeared on the school daily news broadcast twice to ask for donations.
"I honestly helped zero," said Sonia Parker, Anna's teacher. "I would just say 'Think about what you want to do this week'."
While Anna does get class credit for her project, she just wanted to do it, regardless of the recognition.
"If we need a new pair of shoes, we get a new pair of shoes," she said. "It's not the same for everybody. The shoe drive was a way of giving back, which everyone should try to do."
"It just feels good," she said.
Two years ago, when Julia Dailey was in fifth grade she organized a shoe drive at Hampton Cove Elementary School in Huntsville, AL for Soles4Souls. Julia collected dozens of pairs of shoes, and Anna, who is now in the same fifth-grade gifted program at Hampton Cove her older sister was in, decided she wanted to organize her own drive.
"I remember her coming home every day and telling us how many shoes had been donated," Anna said.
Anna and her friend, Audrey Corbett, had just done a count of about 300 pairs of shoes donated at the school. The Fleet Feet shoe store also contributed another 500 pairs to Anna's drive, bringing the total to about 800 pairs of shoes. The shoes ranged from worn athletic shoes to barely worn dressy sandals.
"My teacher brought in high heels," said Anna about her homeroom teacher Nancy Bass.
To get the project started, Anna first had to write a letter to her principal, Dr. Fillis McGhee, asking for permission. She then contacted Soles4Souls to get collection boxes and a banner to announce the drive. She wrote a note to go out in the folders that go home with the school's 1,000 students every Wednesday, and appeared on the school daily news broadcast twice to ask for donations.
"I honestly helped zero," said Sonia Parker, Anna's teacher. "I would just say 'Think about what you want to do this week'."
While Anna does get class credit for her project, she just wanted to do it, regardless of the recognition.
"If we need a new pair of shoes, we get a new pair of shoes," she said. "It's not the same for everybody. The shoe drive was a way of giving back, which everyone should try to do."
"It just feels good," she said.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Shoe Drive A Big Success at Middle School
Manor Middle School students in Lancaster, PA have proven they know how to get a job done.
In less than two weeks, the students managed to collect 1,319 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls. Peer Helpers organized the event, which kicked off March 30 and ended last Wednesday.
"Our goal was 500 pairs," noted Zac Bauermaster, teacher and program coordinator. "The volume of shoes collected was well over twice that number."
The idea for a shoe drive came out of a unit of study on Africa. Bauermaster said his students and those of Deron Gue's seventh- grade geography class learned that some African children work 12- hour days in mines without shoes for foot protection.
"We saw so many pictures of children without shoes," he said. "We really want the students to understand and have empathy towards people in other countries," Bauermaster added.
The Manor Middle School students jumped right in and began gathering shoes.
"It's a good way for everyone to get involved," stated Hannah Breidenbaugh, a Peer Helper. "It's not hard to pitch in and help."
For every pair of shoes donated, the students received a receipt, which they could enter into a drawing. The Inside Track is donating prizes. And the group that brought in the most pairs will get to help shave Gue's head.
In less than two weeks, the students managed to collect 1,319 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls. Peer Helpers organized the event, which kicked off March 30 and ended last Wednesday.
"Our goal was 500 pairs," noted Zac Bauermaster, teacher and program coordinator. "The volume of shoes collected was well over twice that number."
The idea for a shoe drive came out of a unit of study on Africa. Bauermaster said his students and those of Deron Gue's seventh- grade geography class learned that some African children work 12- hour days in mines without shoes for foot protection.
"We saw so many pictures of children without shoes," he said. "We really want the students to understand and have empathy towards people in other countries," Bauermaster added.
The Manor Middle School students jumped right in and began gathering shoes.
"It's a good way for everyone to get involved," stated Hannah Breidenbaugh, a Peer Helper. "It's not hard to pitch in and help."
For every pair of shoes donated, the students received a receipt, which they could enter into a drawing. The Inside Track is donating prizes. And the group that brought in the most pairs will get to help shave Gue's head.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Center Stage Children's Theatre Company in Philadelphia Partners with Soles4Souls
Philadelphia was recently voted the 4th best "walking city" in the U.S., and Center Stage Children's Theatre Company is celebrating the honor by partnering with shoe charity Soles4Souls. From April 20 until May 11, Philadelphians are asked to donate their shoes at the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School, at 11081 Knights Road (map this school). The phone number is (215) 281-2603.
All collected shoes will be donated to needy Americans across the country.
In addition to their charitable efforts with Soles4Souls, the Center Stage Children's Theatre Company will be performing FOOTLOOSE, the musical, on May 29, 30 and 31 at the high school. Ticket information is available on the school's website, which can be found here.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Student-Athletes to Collect Shoes
Eastern Kentucky University student-athletes have partnered with Soles4Souls to collect gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to a person in need. Donations will be accepted between April 16 and April 30. Shoes can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 pm.in the Bratzke Center in Alumni Coliseum.
Chaska Students Offer Hope Through Shoes
Chaska High School students in Chaska, MN are helping the needy by partnering with Soles4Souls. Like many other schools and organizations, Chaska High School often utilizes fundraising programs to generate critical revenue for its operations and goals.
Students will collecting donations from family and friends for the purchase of new $5 flip-flops or $10 clogs that will be sent to a person in need. Through the Soles4Souls program, the school receives 40% of the proceeds, along with unique incentives for students and the programs they are representing.
Students will collecting donations from family and friends for the purchase of new $5 flip-flops or $10 clogs that will be sent to a person in need. Through the Soles4Souls program, the school receives 40% of the proceeds, along with unique incentives for students and the programs they are representing.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Shoes & Champagne Raises A Glass For Soles4Souls
As seen in WSA Today
Shoes from 65 footwear designers including Irregular Choice, Be & D, Donald J Pliner and Casadei will be on display at the International Shoes & Champagne gala on May 8. The new event will coincide with Ottawa’s Canadian Tulip Festival.
“I love shoes, and I thought it would be a great idea to have all these shoes under one roof, displayed as art,” says event manager Caroline Ouimet. “I called designers, and the response
was overwhelming.”
was overwhelming.”During the Friday evening gala, guests will also be invited to bid on footwear via auction. The two day showcase will also raise funds for Soles4Souls through the auction as well as donations to a Shoe Mountain.
“The Shoe Mountain starts May 1 and runs throughout the Tulip Festival,” says Ouimet. “People can add a pair of their used shoes to the Shoe Mountain or buy a pair of flip-flops which will benefit someone in need of shoes. We wanted to do something socially purposeful."
Special guests Beth Harbison, author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Secrets of a Shoe Addict, will also have a book signing when the event opens to the public on May 9.
“In the gloomy time we’re seeing, it’s very satisfying to do something that’s looking upwards, outwards and doing good,” says Ouiment. To find out more, visit http://www.shoesandchampagne.ca/.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Mack Moore Shoe Drive
Starting last week and running through Saturday, April 11, Mack Moore Shoes in Charleston, IL will be the site for area residents to drop off their gently worn shoes for Soles4Souls.Mack Moore Shoes, 305 W. Lincoln Ave in Charleston, will join with Soles4Souls to become a participating location to collect donations for people in need. Residents may drop off monetary donations or gently worn footwear to be sent to people in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty.
Nebraska City Shoe Store Hosts Shoe Drive for Soles4Souls
[from the Nebraska City News Press]
Brown's Shoe Fit, 811 Central Ave., is hosting a shoe drive to help needy people around the world. The Nebraska City store is one of 51 Brown's Shoe Fit locations to benefit Soles4Souls Inc., an international footwear charity.
During the shoe drive, Brown's Shoe Fit will offer $10 off a purchase of Clarks Companies shoes to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort.
The shoe drive is scheduled April 10-20.
Nashville-based Soles4Souls has distributed more than 4.3 million pairs to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States.
Brown's Shoe Fit, 811 Central Ave., is hosting a shoe drive to help needy people around the world. The Nebraska City store is one of 51 Brown's Shoe Fit locations to benefit Soles4Souls Inc., an international footwear charity.
During the shoe drive, Brown's Shoe Fit will offer $10 off a purchase of Clarks Companies shoes to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort.
The shoe drive is scheduled April 10-20.
Nashville-based Soles4Souls has distributed more than 4.3 million pairs to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Making a Difference Two Shoes at a Time
Dee Gordon (pictured) of Gainesville, VA said it’s the small things we take for granted that can make all the difference in the world to others.
“We don’t know how good we have it until something is taken away from us,”said Gordon, whose family immigrated to the United States from Laos in 1980.
So Gordon brought a couple of plastic shopping bags full of shoes to Sudley Manor Square in Manassas, VA to donate to Soles4Souls.
“Sometimes the little things that we take for granted, other people don’t have,” Gordon said.
Allan Clark, a Soles4Souls volunteer, is driving with his wife, Silvana, across the United States in a recreational vehicle to collect shoes for those who need them.
Allan Clark, a Soles4Souls volunteer, is driving with his wife, Silvana, across the United States in a recreational vehicle to collect shoes for those who need them.
Silvana Clark said she’s getting more than shoes out of the trip she and her husband decided to take after their daughter left for college.
“We get to meet wonderful people,” said Silvana Clark, of Seattle. “We get to see people coming in and donating shoes and we get to travel the country.”
The Clarks, who worked for Soles4Souls in Seattle, will be touring for a year to collect the shoes, box them up and ship them off for rehabilitation, Allan Clark said.
“They get refurbished in our warehouses down in Alabama or in Las Vegas and shipped around the world,” he said.
Shirley Davis, who lives in the Sudley area, said she was glad to find some use for the shoes she can’t wear anymore.
“I’m handicapped and I can’t wear heels anymore. I was going to throw them in the trash,” Davis said.
It was a little party in the parking lot which included free pizza from Papa Johns and an appearance from Ronald McDonald. People applauded when someone came in with shoes, like when Alex Bumpers brought in some dress shoes that looked new.
“I don’t waste. Those are just some shoes that didn’t fit quite right,” Bumpers said. “I think that this is obviously a great cause.”
Arizona Fire Stations Collecting Shoes
Scottsdale Fire Department in partnership with the Scottsdale Firefighters Association Local 3878, are collecting new and gently used footwear to benefit Soles4Souls.
Community members are encouraged to drop off ‘gently worn’ shoes and/or boots at one of Scottsdale’s 14 fire stations or the Witzeman Public Safety Building (8401 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale). Each location will be an ongoing drop location.
Scottsdale Fire Stations are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, we encourage you to try to stop by between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Upon arrival, please ring the door bell or knock on the station door to alert the firefighters you are there to make a donation. If there is no answer, crews may be responding to an emergency call. To locate the nearest fire station, visit http://www.scottsdalefd.com/.
Captain Sasha Weller and members of Scottsdale Fire Department are excited about this new program.
“It’s a great time for spring cleaning” stated Weller. “The simple act of dropping off shoes taking up space in your closet will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times” he added.
Community members are encouraged to drop off ‘gently worn’ shoes and/or boots at one of Scottsdale’s 14 fire stations or the Witzeman Public Safety Building (8401 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale). Each location will be an ongoing drop location.
Scottsdale Fire Stations are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, we encourage you to try to stop by between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Upon arrival, please ring the door bell or knock on the station door to alert the firefighters you are there to make a donation. If there is no answer, crews may be responding to an emergency call. To locate the nearest fire station, visit http://www.scottsdalefd.com/.
Captain Sasha Weller and members of Scottsdale Fire Department are excited about this new program.
“It’s a great time for spring cleaning” stated Weller. “The simple act of dropping off shoes taking up space in your closet will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times” he added.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Fleet Feet Sports Announces Shoe Drive
The people that truly make Soles4Souls effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their gently worn shoes at a participating location, such as Fleet Feet Sports in Raleigh, NC.
Soles4Souls and Fleet Feet Sports Raleigh will be collecting your gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to people in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty.
The shoe donation program features an official kick-off at Fleet Feet's Spring has Sprung free fun run and walk on Saturday, April 4th.
About Fleet Feet Sports
Fleet Feet Sports Raleigh is a locally-owned running store featuring a welcoming environment where runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities receive unparalleled service and support. The knowledgeable team takes the time to get to know you and your specific needs in order to guide you to the products that are the right FIT for you, whether it is footwear, athletic clothing, sports bras or fitness accessories. For more information, call (919) 832-8275 or visit www.fleetfeetraleigh.com.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Letter from the Kansas City Rescue Mission
This is a letter we recently received from Julie Larocco, the development officer for the Kansas City Rescue Mission.
Dear Soles4Souls,
I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to experience the work of Soles4Souls firsthand here at the Kansas City Rescue Mission last Wednesday. Our case managers gave out 90 vouchers for free shoes and socks from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. The crew hugged, encouraged and fitted men with shoes as though they'd been doing it all their lives.
A young crack addict who can barely function anymore is seated on a bench outside my office. He rocks back and forth humming. His feet are warm and dry.
An elderly man traded his incredibly taped and tattered sandals and filthy socks for brand new socks and shoes. As I drove into our parking lot last Thursday, I saw him asleep on a wall despite the cold. His feet were warm and dry.
Men in our Christian Community of Recovery now have the shoes they need to head to work sites, job interviews and legal appointments. They are proud of their new shoes; many have saved the boxes and store them carefully each night. On man laughed, "Now I can run fast and jump high!" Another said, "These are the first shoes I've had since I came here that actually fit."
Thanks you so much for the honor of receiving this gift. We appreciate your efforts and those of Adam Gregory and his crew. God bless you all in your ministry.
Reaching Up,
Julie Larocco
Development Officer
Dear Soles4Souls,
I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to experience the work of Soles4Souls firsthand here at the Kansas City Rescue Mission last Wednesday. Our case managers gave out 90 vouchers for free shoes and socks from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. The crew hugged, encouraged and fitted men with shoes as though they'd been doing it all their lives.
A young crack addict who can barely function anymore is seated on a bench outside my office. He rocks back and forth humming. His feet are warm and dry.
An elderly man traded his incredibly taped and tattered sandals and filthy socks for brand new socks and shoes. As I drove into our parking lot last Thursday, I saw him asleep on a wall despite the cold. His feet were warm and dry.
Men in our Christian Community of Recovery now have the shoes they need to head to work sites, job interviews and legal appointments. They are proud of their new shoes; many have saved the boxes and store them carefully each night. On man laughed, "Now I can run fast and jump high!" Another said, "These are the first shoes I've had since I came here that actually fit."
Thanks you so much for the honor of receiving this gift. We appreciate your efforts and those of Adam Gregory and his crew. God bless you all in your ministry.
Reaching Up,
Julie Larocco
Development Officer
Mary Baldwin College to Conduct Shoe Drive
Mary Baldwin college in Staunton, VA is conducting a shoe drive as part of a Haitian festival on the lower campus from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 3.
People who attend the festivities are asked to bring their own "gently worn" shoes to donate to Soles4Souls. All shoes collected will go directly to helping someone in need, whether they live around the block or across an ocean.
Soles4Souls is touring North America in a custom-wrapped RV through February, 2010 in order to increase public participation in its many programs. The Soles4Souls RV Tour includes stops in thousands of cities, including Staunton, for festivals and events such as this.
"We want to invite all people from Staunton, and the surrounding community, to clean out their closets and support the work of Soles4Souls," said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of the shoe charity. "It's awesome to see such high level of participation in our various events, and we want to thank our caring partners at Mary Baldwin College who are giving their community a chance to come together for a simple yet important cause," he said.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Soles4Souls and look forward to radio station 93.7 joining us for our event,” said MBC sophomore Melissa Elsey. “Free pedicures and massages, a water balloon dodge ball game, piñatas, and a Haitian food theme have all been planned. The event is hosted by a number of campus clubs and organizations, but we want to invite everyone in the Mary Baldwin College community. We have chosen Haiti to receive the donations of shoes collected.”
The gift of shoes does more than lift the spirits of those in desperate need. It also reduces the risk of puncture wounds, scrapes and burns to the feet, and stops hookworm infections. Also, by donating shoes to needy people, Staunton residents can greatly reduce the number of perfectly good shoes being wasted in their local landfills.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Shoe Sale supports Seton's Missions
Seton High School students in Cincinnati, OH have chucked the old bake sale, car wash and bagging groceries model to do some good while raising money to do even more good.
Now through April 8, students at the 540-student all-girls Catholic high school are selling clogs and flip-flops for Soles4Souls.
The cost of the shoes - $10 for clogs and $5 for flip-flops - will also benefit mission trips to Appalachia, New Orleans, Guatemala and Honduras the school has planned for the coming summer. Forty percent of proceeds will be returned to the school for that purpose.
"Yes, it helps us out. But the broader picture is it helps globally beyond Price Hill," said Sister Sandy Howe, community service coordinator at Seton High.
Carly Hartman of Delhi Township has been on two mission trips to Appalachia. She will make her third trip there this summer and said she has admired how families come together in times of hardship.
"These are people who have a lot less than we have, materially, but they have more, spiritually, than we do," Hartman said.
Shoes bought through the fundraiser will be donated to the poor in Uganda in honor of Violet, a young Ugandan woman Seton High School has supported since 2002. The school pays for the woman's educational and personal needs.
To give to Seton High School's Soles4Souls fundraiser, visit www.setoncincinnati.org
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Soles4Souls at the FOX Gives Philanthropy Fair
Cristina Nardozzi, a spokesperson for Soles4Souls, recently attended the FOX Gives Philanthropy Fair Thursday, March 19th in Los Angeles. It was FOX Network's 1st annual fair and over 2,500 FOX employees attended the event.
Cristina was on hand to educate those about the Soles4Souls' mission of changing the world one pair at a time.
"The event was a grand success," said Cristina. "I signed nearly 100 volunteers for our next event on June 4th with the LA Midnight Mission. Thank you to FOX for putting on a wonderful event. I look forward to working with FOX Gives in the future," she said.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pennsylvania Man Going the Distance to Help Others
Michael Casper, of State College, PA has turned his passion for running into a means of helping local runners test their limits while helping those in need.
Casper, a member of the Nittany Valley Running Club, is the co-founder and director of the annual Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon, to be held this year on Oct. 3 at Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon. The proceeds from this year’s races will benefit Centre Volunteers in Medicine, a local nonprofit clinic whose mission is to serve the health care needs of uninsured Centre County residents.
Casper also partners with Soles4Souls, collecting shoes at all the races he directs. Shoes will be collected at the Mountainback Relay, the Tussey Teasers in the spring and the Discovery Run series in August.
For more information on these races, visit http://www.tusseymountainback.com/.
Shoes for Needy Collected by 10-year-old
A 10-year-old is encouraging others in Jackson, Mississippi to give.
Gabrielle Ambeau held a shoe drive Saturday at New Jerusalem gym on Old Canton Road for Soles4Souls.
Many people stopped by to donate their gently-used shoes for those in need.
Ambeau said she got the idea for the drive after searching the internet with her mom. She was just looking for a way she could get involved in the community and give back to those in need.
"I want to help get people to be able to feel confident about themselves and to have some shoes to wear instead of walking around barefoot all the time and to get back on their feet," Ambeau said.
Ambeau hopes to donate the shoes to people in New Orleans or Africa.
Gabrielle Ambeau held a shoe drive Saturday at New Jerusalem gym on Old Canton Road for Soles4Souls.
Many people stopped by to donate their gently-used shoes for those in need.
Ambeau said she got the idea for the drive after searching the internet with her mom. She was just looking for a way she could get involved in the community and give back to those in need.
"I want to help get people to be able to feel confident about themselves and to have some shoes to wear instead of walking around barefoot all the time and to get back on their feet," Ambeau said.
Ambeau hopes to donate the shoes to people in New Orleans or Africa.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Store Owner Staying Busy in the Community
Starting a business is a busy time for anyone, but Kelly Ellis of Lyndon, Washington has been able to do that while also getting very involved in the community.
Ellis started Sole Obsession Footwear at 105 3rd St. in Lynden almost five months ago, selling shoes for men, women and children. Along the way she's found time to get herself elected vice president of the Lynden Downtown Business Association, become involved in the upcoming Relay for Life in Lynden that benefits the American Cancer Society and work with Soles4Souls by collecting gently worn shoes.
"One thing I've learned about becoming a business owner is there are so many causes to support," Ellis said.
She said the 1,000-square-foot store is focused on service, including a children's play area and one-on-one interaction, such as shoe fitting. Sole Obsession is also a drop-off point for Soles4Souls. Customers can donate their gently worn or new shoes in the big blue and white boxes. Those shoes will be cleaned, bound and distributed to those need in the U.S. and abroad.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more details about the store, call (360) 392-8659.
Ellis started Sole Obsession Footwear at 105 3rd St. in Lynden almost five months ago, selling shoes for men, women and children. Along the way she's found time to get herself elected vice president of the Lynden Downtown Business Association, become involved in the upcoming Relay for Life in Lynden that benefits the American Cancer Society and work with Soles4Souls by collecting gently worn shoes.
"One thing I've learned about becoming a business owner is there are so many causes to support," Ellis said.
She said the 1,000-square-foot store is focused on service, including a children's play area and one-on-one interaction, such as shoe fitting. Sole Obsession is also a drop-off point for Soles4Souls. Customers can donate their gently worn or new shoes in the big blue and white boxes. Those shoes will be cleaned, bound and distributed to those need in the U.S. and abroad.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more details about the store, call (360) 392-8659.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Students Pitch in Donated Shoes to 'Bury the Bug'
Their goal was to "Bury the Bug."
Mission accomplished.
Evansville Christian School students in Evansville, IN circled a convertible Volkswagen Beetle on Friday morning, filling the car with donated shoes. When they finished, the Beetle overflowed with shoes of all types.
The shoes will be shipped worldwide and distributed to children without footwear. The shoe drive, hosted by Soles4Souls, came to Evansville as part of the charity's "North American RV Tour."
The RV and Beetle was parked at The Evansville Centre for another collection during the St. Patrick's Day Run of Luck.
Parent Donna Logan helped coordinate the collection for Evansville Christian School. Her children, Brooks, 13, and Tanner, 9, collected more than 300 shoes by knocking on doors in their East Side neighborhood.
"And it really wasn't very hard," Logan said.
Logan said the shoe drive gives students a visual example of how their volunteer work can help other people.
"I just wish I could take them on a mission trip to the countries where the shoes are going," she said.
The Beetle was provided by Shoe Carnival, a corporate sponsor.
"We like to take part in any local community event by Soles4Souls," said Shoe Carnival spokeswoman Stacy Carr. "I think shoes are an everyday staple that so many people take for granted."
The RV tour is scheduled to last a year and visit cities across the country, said Sondra Clark, a spokeswoman for Soles4Souls, who is traveling on the tour.
Paul Bair, executive director of Evansville Christian School, said students from both east and west campuses participated in the shoe drive. Combined, the two campuses have about 640 students.
Bair said one of his kindergarten students collected 60 pairs of shoes.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sneakers To Boots Hosting Shoe Drive
Sneakers To Boots in Pine Bush, NY is hosting a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls.
During the shoe drive, Sneakers to Boots will be offering a 10 percent discount to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive will began Sunday, March 15th and will last until the end of the month.
Sneakers To Boots is located at 90 Main St. in Pine Bush. For more information, visit www.sneakerstoboots.com.
During the shoe drive, Sneakers to Boots will be offering a 10 percent discount to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive will began Sunday, March 15th and will last until the end of the month.
Sneakers To Boots is located at 90 Main St. in Pine Bush. For more information, visit www.sneakerstoboots.com.
Soles4Souls Helps Project PINSTRIPE Outfit Disadvantaged Youth
Project PINSTRIPE, a not-for-profit organization devoted to building a positive self-image for disadvantaged young adults by providing properly-fitted business attire and career education, hosted its fourth annual one-day event last Saturday, March 14. The event expanded to Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville, adding to existing events in New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Miami.
Since its founding in New York in 2005, Project PINSTRIPE has grown from 50 participants in New York to 450 participants nationally with annual events in eight cities around the country. The organization outfits underprivileged high school and college-aged men with lightly-used designer suits donated by generous business professionals.
Participants were also given all the necessary accessories to complete their tailored look, including dress shoes donated by Soles4Souls.
"Project PINSTRIPE has given me so many great opportunities. Being young, it's often hard to be taken seriously in a corporate setting. The suits I've been given help me project confidence and give me a much better self-image," said Daniel Meighan, a Prep for Prep and Project PINSTRIPE participant. "I know that I have the skills and know-how to succeed, and Project PINSTRIPE helps to display my qualities in the clothes that I wear."
Since its founding in New York in 2005, Project PINSTRIPE has grown from 50 participants in New York to 450 participants nationally with annual events in eight cities around the country. The organization outfits underprivileged high school and college-aged men with lightly-used designer suits donated by generous business professionals.
Participants were also given all the necessary accessories to complete their tailored look, including dress shoes donated by Soles4Souls.
"Project PINSTRIPE has given me so many great opportunities. Being young, it's often hard to be taken seriously in a corporate setting. The suits I've been given help me project confidence and give me a much better self-image," said Daniel Meighan, a Prep for Prep and Project PINSTRIPE participant. "I know that I have the skills and know-how to succeed, and Project PINSTRIPE helps to display my qualities in the clothes that I wear."
Friday, March 13, 2009
Nation's Leading Flip Flop Retailer Partners with Toe-rrific Charity
Flip Flop Shops Joins Mission to Provide Footwear to Those in Need; Selects Soles4Souls as National Charity
Nashville, TN – As the nation's first retail chain exclusive to flip flops and sandals, Flip Flop Shops is riding high on the soaring, cult-like popularity of flips flops and the "Free-Your-Toes" movement it is promoting from coast to coast. But for Flip Flop Shops CEO Darin Kraetsch and President Brian Curin, they have found another mission they are equally passionate about -- helping to provide footwear for the millions of shoeless and footsore individuals worldwide.
To this effect, Flip Flops Shops has just announced a partnership with Soles4Souls, an international charity that has distributed more than 4 million donated pairs of new and gently used shoes to people in over 70 countries.
"Partnering with Soles4Souls was natural for us," said Curin (size 10). "Soles4Souls reflects fundamental aspects of the Flip Flop Shops brand and culture. This decision was more than an act of corporate philanthropy; this was the alignment of two organizations that are passionate about helping those in need by providing footwear and the independence, confidence and support associated with a pair of shoes."
Flip Flop Shops has launched a broad scale campaign to bring the partnership to fruition at existing and soon-to-open Flip Flop Shops locations throughout North America. With three shops in operation and 20 shops under development, Flip Flop Shops will promote it's "Free Your Toes...Bring Your Soles" events by hosting shoe drives at each Grand Opening and will offer discounts to customers that donate to Soles4Souls. Flip Flop Shops anticipates collecting 10,000 pairs of shoes in 2009 for donation to Soles4Souls.
"Our partnership with Soles4Souls is another example of Doing The Right Thing," said Kraetsch (size 10). "Doing The Right Thing is the driving force behind our culture and overall philosophy and we are proud to support such a great cause."
To fully integrate Flip Flop Shops consumers with the Soles4Souls mission, the Soles4Souls RV Tour will stop at Flip Flop Shops locations throughout the country, spreading its excitement and goodwill to local towns. Flip Flop Shops currently has locations operating in Arizona and California, and will soon open additional franchised shops in Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, and Ohio; as well as forays into Vancouver, British Columbia and Guam.
Selling such popular brands as Reef, havaianas, Sanuk, Hurley and OluKai, Flip Flop Shops plans to reach 236 shops across North America within the next five years.
About Flip Flop Shops
Founded in September 2004, Flip Flop Shops is the nation's first retail chain exclusive to flip flops and sandals. The company began franchising in January 2008. Flip Flop Shops is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer and encourages the nation to free their toes. The executive team boasts more than 50 years of franchise experience building and growing some of the world's fastest-growing franchise concepts, category leaders and some of America's most well-known brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Moe's Southwest Grill and Nike. With three locations currently operating and 20 in development, the company plans to franchise 236 shops by 2013. For more franchise opportunity information, visit www.flipflopshops.com.
Nashville, TN – As the nation's first retail chain exclusive to flip flops and sandals, Flip Flop Shops is riding high on the soaring, cult-like popularity of flips flops and the "Free-Your-Toes" movement it is promoting from coast to coast. But for Flip Flop Shops CEO Darin Kraetsch and President Brian Curin, they have found another mission they are equally passionate about -- helping to provide footwear for the millions of shoeless and footsore individuals worldwide.To this effect, Flip Flops Shops has just announced a partnership with Soles4Souls, an international charity that has distributed more than 4 million donated pairs of new and gently used shoes to people in over 70 countries.
"Partnering with Soles4Souls was natural for us," said Curin (size 10). "Soles4Souls reflects fundamental aspects of the Flip Flop Shops brand and culture. This decision was more than an act of corporate philanthropy; this was the alignment of two organizations that are passionate about helping those in need by providing footwear and the independence, confidence and support associated with a pair of shoes."
Flip Flop Shops has launched a broad scale campaign to bring the partnership to fruition at existing and soon-to-open Flip Flop Shops locations throughout North America. With three shops in operation and 20 shops under development, Flip Flop Shops will promote it's "Free Your Toes...Bring Your Soles" events by hosting shoe drives at each Grand Opening and will offer discounts to customers that donate to Soles4Souls. Flip Flop Shops anticipates collecting 10,000 pairs of shoes in 2009 for donation to Soles4Souls.
"Our partnership with Soles4Souls is another example of Doing The Right Thing," said Kraetsch (size 10). "Doing The Right Thing is the driving force behind our culture and overall philosophy and we are proud to support such a great cause."
To fully integrate Flip Flop Shops consumers with the Soles4Souls mission, the Soles4Souls RV Tour will stop at Flip Flop Shops locations throughout the country, spreading its excitement and goodwill to local towns. Flip Flop Shops currently has locations operating in Arizona and California, and will soon open additional franchised shops in Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, and Ohio; as well as forays into Vancouver, British Columbia and Guam.
Selling such popular brands as Reef, havaianas, Sanuk, Hurley and OluKai, Flip Flop Shops plans to reach 236 shops across North America within the next five years.
About Flip Flop Shops
Founded in September 2004, Flip Flop Shops is the nation's first retail chain exclusive to flip flops and sandals. The company began franchising in January 2008. Flip Flop Shops is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer and encourages the nation to free their toes. The executive team boasts more than 50 years of franchise experience building and growing some of the world's fastest-growing franchise concepts, category leaders and some of America's most well-known brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Moe's Southwest Grill and Nike. With three locations currently operating and 20 in development, the company plans to franchise 236 shops by 2013. For more franchise opportunity information, visit www.flipflopshops.com.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
SHHS Sponsors Drive to Benefit Soles4Souls
Spring Hill High School in Spring Hill, TN announced a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls March 9-13. Students, faculty, Columbia and Spring Hill residents are invited to recycle their “gently worn” shoes for people in need.
Spring Hill High School will also be accepting donations to help ship the shoes to people in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty. 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,” said Wayne Elsey, Soles4Soles CEO and founder. “We need our partners in Spring Hill High School 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.
Spring Hill High School will also be accepting donations to help ship the shoes to people in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty. 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,” said Wayne Elsey, Soles4Soles CEO and founder. “We need our partners in Spring Hill High School 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.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Store's Help is a Step in the Right Direction
A Marlton, NJ shoe store has joined with Soles4Souls to collect gently worn shoes for the poor in parts of the U.S. and overseas. Fleet Feet Sports, on Route 73 South, has collected about 200 pairs of shoes in the month since it became a drop-off location for Soles4Souls."It's been wildly successful," said Paul Flaherty, the store's general manager. "The response has already been much greater than we would've ever anticipated."
Many donors at the Marlton store are regular customers, Flaherty said, but anyone can walk in and donate their shoes.
"Many of our clients bring their old shoes in with them when they come in to buy new ones, and it's just a natural thing for them to just put them in the receptacle before they leave," Flaherty said.
All types, brands and sizes are needed, Flaherty said, including sneakers, high heels, men's dress shoes, slippers, even moccasins, can be used, Flaherty said.
"This isn't about the shoe's performance," he said. "We're sending to Third World countries in some cases, where children are going without any shoes at all."
Once the shoes go through the reconditioning process, they're sent to third-party organizations, like the American Red Cross, that distribute them to the needy. About 95 percent of the shoes donated are in good enough condition to refurbish and distribute and the other 5 percent are ground up and recycled into playground surfacing material.
Once the shoes go through the reconditioning process, they're sent to third-party organizations, like the American Red Cross, that distribute them to the needy. About 95 percent of the shoes donated are in good enough condition to refurbish and distribute and the other 5 percent are ground up and recycled into playground surfacing material.
Flaherty's store joined the effort in early February at the prompting of store employees and customers.
"Our hope is that this is only going to grow," he added.
Ecor Rouge DAR names 'Good Citizens'
Ecor Rouge DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) has recognized four Baldwin County, Alabama high school seniors as DAR Good Citizens.
Elizabeth Ann Moore McDonald earned her recognition by participating in a Soles4Souls shoe drive, as well as volunteering her time to a number of other community minded organizations.
Criteria for receiving recognition as a DAR Good Citizen includes service, consideration of others, leadership, interest in family, school and community.
Elizabeth Ann Moore McDonald earned her recognition by participating in a Soles4Souls shoe drive, as well as volunteering her time to a number of other community minded organizations.
Criteria for receiving recognition as a DAR Good Citizen includes service, consideration of others, leadership, interest in family, school and community.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Got Gently Worn Shoes?
Letting someone "walk a mile or two in your shoes" comes with an incentive this weekend. The Runner shoe store in Arlington, TX is offering to take gently worn shoes from its customers this weekend and distribute them to people living in poverty or whose lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster.In return for donating footwear to Soles4Souls, customers will get a 20 percent discount at the store! The Runner Shop is located at 3535 W. Pioneer Parkway.
Nazareth Academy Shoe Drive will be held until April 8
Nazareth Academy's senior board in La Grange Park, IL is hosting a shoe drive for Soles4Souls through April 8.
Senior class members will organize the school in collecting gently used shoes which will then be shipped to Soles4Souls. Local residents of the community are invited to recycle shoes and drop them off before April 8 at the school office, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park.
An out-of-uniform day will be held April 2 where the student body can purchase a $2 pass or donate shoes.
Senior class members will organize the school in collecting gently used shoes which will then be shipped to Soles4Souls. Local residents of the community are invited to recycle shoes and drop them off before April 8 at the school office, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park.
An out-of-uniform day will be held April 2 where the student body can purchase a $2 pass or donate shoes.
Georgia Stores Collecting Footwear for Needy
Macon-based Run Fit Sports stores in Macon and Warner Robins would like people to recycle their gently worn shoes for others in need. Saturday, the stores will collect used shoes and donate them to Soles4Souls."We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time," said Soles4Souls founder Wayne Elsey. "We need our partners in Middle Georgia 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 someones life in the most difficult of times."
The stores are located at 4524 Forsyth Road in Macon and at 4025 Watson Blvd. in Warner Robins.
In exchange for a donation, Run Fit Sports will give a trade-in discount of 10 percent off on a pair of new shoes.
People who may not have any shoes to donate may make a monetary donation instead.
Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival (Raleigh NC) Gears Up for Spring
[from indyweek.com, written by Kelly Behling]
With construction set to begin on Raleigh's Hillsborough Street in May, many people will be avoiding the work zone for the next two years. Before it begins, a green celebration has been planned, right in time for spring.
On Saturday, March 14, the Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival will shut the road to traffic between Gardner Street and Enterprise Street to make way for booths, music and food. The festival, which begins at noon, will feature cooking competitions with local food, a fashion show featuring recycled materials, and exhibits showcasing alternative fuels and cars with environmentally friendly technology. The Kid Zone will even feature solar-powered race cars, among other activities designed to keep little ones entertained.
The event was conceived as a way to help tie together three facets of the community surrounding N.C. State: businesses, families and students.
"The goal is to revitalize Hillsborough Street," said Amy Callahan, a spokeswoman for the festival. "We want to make it a place where people want to go to hang out again and enjoy Raleigh together. There's a dividing line between the campus and the community that runs along Hillsborough Street. We hope by revitalizing the street there will no longer be that line."
Food will provide one catalyst for unity. NCSU fraternities will face off against Hillsborough Street restaurants cooking their famous barbecue, with the green theme highlighted by a solar-powered pig cooker. More than 20 types of barbecue will be available for sampling, as well as a variety of pies provided by NCSU sororities. Festival-goers can enter a raffle to become a judge of the Iron Chef-style cooking competition between two local chefs.
Proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets, auction items, food, drinks and memorabilia will go to three charities: Engineers Without Borders, MorLove and Soles4Souls, which all provide recycled materials or renewable energy to those in need.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival. For more information, see hsren.org.
With construction set to begin on Raleigh's Hillsborough Street in May, many people will be avoiding the work zone for the next two years. Before it begins, a green celebration has been planned, right in time for spring.On Saturday, March 14, the Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival will shut the road to traffic between Gardner Street and Enterprise Street to make way for booths, music and food. The festival, which begins at noon, will feature cooking competitions with local food, a fashion show featuring recycled materials, and exhibits showcasing alternative fuels and cars with environmentally friendly technology. The Kid Zone will even feature solar-powered race cars, among other activities designed to keep little ones entertained.
The event was conceived as a way to help tie together three facets of the community surrounding N.C. State: businesses, families and students.
"The goal is to revitalize Hillsborough Street," said Amy Callahan, a spokeswoman for the festival. "We want to make it a place where people want to go to hang out again and enjoy Raleigh together. There's a dividing line between the campus and the community that runs along Hillsborough Street. We hope by revitalizing the street there will no longer be that line."
Food will provide one catalyst for unity. NCSU fraternities will face off against Hillsborough Street restaurants cooking their famous barbecue, with the green theme highlighted by a solar-powered pig cooker. More than 20 types of barbecue will be available for sampling, as well as a variety of pies provided by NCSU sororities. Festival-goers can enter a raffle to become a judge of the Iron Chef-style cooking competition between two local chefs.
Proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets, auction items, food, drinks and memorabilia will go to three charities: Engineers Without Borders, MorLove and Soles4Souls, which all provide recycled materials or renewable energy to those in need.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival. For more information, see hsren.org.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Altrusa International of Branch County works with Soles4Souls to Meet Needs of Children
[excerpted from The Daily Reporter, Coldwater Michigan]
photo and story by Roland Stoy
There are so many needs for so many people in Branch County, Michigan.
Important among those needs are shoes and boots for children, and Altrusa International of Branch County, an organization of executive and professional women, has made this area one of their activities in community service.
"The need is huge," said Connie Winbigler of Altrusa. "There are a lot of children who don't have proper shoes or boots, and this can become a health issue."
Thanks to their affiliation with Soles4Souls, an international organization dedicated to providing footwear for those in need, Altrusa has an inventory of shoes and boots stored in the basement of Hauska Home and Farm on Chicago Street in downtown Coldwater.
Monday, Winbigler, along with Sara Roper of Hauska and Sue Crabtree, stocked an additional 114 pair of shoes and boots, and were gratified to fit a couple of young clients with new footwear.
Winbigler said they have been spreading the word to service clubs and organizations regarding the availability, but primarily teachers from pre-school to grades three and four are on the watch for those children in need and have forms by which the footwear is procured.
photo and story by Roland Stoy
There are so many needs for so many people in Branch County, Michigan.Important among those needs are shoes and boots for children, and Altrusa International of Branch County, an organization of executive and professional women, has made this area one of their activities in community service.
"The need is huge," said Connie Winbigler of Altrusa. "There are a lot of children who don't have proper shoes or boots, and this can become a health issue."
Thanks to their affiliation with Soles4Souls, an international organization dedicated to providing footwear for those in need, Altrusa has an inventory of shoes and boots stored in the basement of Hauska Home and Farm on Chicago Street in downtown Coldwater.
Monday, Winbigler, along with Sara Roper of Hauska and Sue Crabtree, stocked an additional 114 pair of shoes and boots, and were gratified to fit a couple of young clients with new footwear.
Winbigler said they have been spreading the word to service clubs and organizations regarding the availability, but primarily teachers from pre-school to grades three and four are on the watch for those children in need and have forms by which the footwear is procured.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Stanwood (WA) Woman Gathers Good Soles for Poor Souls
[By Gale Fiege, Writer for The Daily Herald, Everett Washington]
STANWOOD -- As a young woman, Susanna "Z" Mantis had a corporate consulting career. She wore black Armani suits with colorful high heels that matched her ever-changing fingernail polish.
"I had at least 60 pairs of shoes, all carefully kept in their boxes," Mantis said. "I could have been another Imelda Marcos."
Fortunately, Mantis is not Marcos, who, as the wife of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was infamous for her extensive shoe collection. Instead Mantis, now a 55-year-old Stanwood businesswoman, is collecting shoes for an organization called Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes in the United States and abroad to those who have nothing on their feet.
"There are 30 million people worldwide without shoes and most of them are kids," Mantis said.
As soon as she had registered online to run a shoe drive for the nonprofit group, Mantis got a donation of six pairs from an Oak Harbor family. This surprised Mantis, who quickly realized she had hit on something people could do to help others.
"Everybody's got a nice pair of shoes in the closet that isn't being worn," she said. "And people evidently need something positive to do in these last weeks of winter."
Mantis decided to declare February as Global Shoe Month in Stanwood and set a goal to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes.
With the help of her artist husband, R. Allen Jensen, she erected a shoe-drive thermometer outside her shop, Z's All Things Good in downtown Stanwood. They decorated the entrance to the shop with lots of old footwear -- saddle shoes, cowboy boots and patent-leather flats -- in walking positions and headed to the donation box on the shop's porch.
Mantis soon began receiving donations of 20 to 50 pairs of shoes a day.
"It was unbelievable. What a trip. We had little old ladies bringing in two at a time. Men in wheelchairs carried shoes in their teeth," she said. "Then there was a group of siblings who didn't believe their mom when she told them there are children without shoes. I showed them some photos and they handed their extra shoes right over."
Stanwood Elementary School teacher Kathy Tredo joined the effort, telling her fifth-graders a story about a brother and sister in India who had to share a pair of shoes. Soon her colleagues and their students all were donating shoes.
"Susanna is doing a great thing. She's caring and passionate, and people have really caught the bug from her," Tredo said.
Mantis, who grew up in a Greek-Italian family, recalls feeling resentful when her father would hire people right out of jail to work in his restaurant and then invite them to Christmas. Those holidays sowed the seeds of caring for others, however, she said. After suffering an injury after running a couple marathons, Mantis took off her high heels and changed her career to focus on caring for people dealing with pain.
For more than 10 years she has produced essential oils as alternative remedies for aches, practiced foot reflexology and taught yoga. Mantis opened Z's a couple years ago and immediately began looking for a big community service project to lead.
As the shoe drive went on during February, boxes and boxes of shoes began taking over the yoga room at the shop. They filled the trunk of Mantis' car and a storage room. She asked the crew at a nearby Starbucks store to take down a donation box she had set up there.
When the number of shoes donated reached 1,200 pairs on Tuesday, Mantis had to limit people to donations of children's shoes or the financial help to get the shoes shipped off to Soles4Souls.
"People have been so generous," Mantis said. "Every day when I come to work and see all the shoes, I am just in tears. How could you not be?"
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
STANWOOD -- As a young woman, Susanna "Z" Mantis had a corporate consulting career. She wore black Armani suits with colorful high heels that matched her ever-changing fingernail polish.
"I had at least 60 pairs of shoes, all carefully kept in their boxes," Mantis said. "I could have been another Imelda Marcos."
Fortunately, Mantis is not Marcos, who, as the wife of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was infamous for her extensive shoe collection. Instead Mantis, now a 55-year-old Stanwood businesswoman, is collecting shoes for an organization called Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes in the United States and abroad to those who have nothing on their feet.
"There are 30 million people worldwide without shoes and most of them are kids," Mantis said.
As soon as she had registered online to run a shoe drive for the nonprofit group, Mantis got a donation of six pairs from an Oak Harbor family. This surprised Mantis, who quickly realized she had hit on something people could do to help others.
"Everybody's got a nice pair of shoes in the closet that isn't being worn," she said. "And people evidently need something positive to do in these last weeks of winter."
Mantis decided to declare February as Global Shoe Month in Stanwood and set a goal to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes.
With the help of her artist husband, R. Allen Jensen, she erected a shoe-drive thermometer outside her shop, Z's All Things Good in downtown Stanwood. They decorated the entrance to the shop with lots of old footwear -- saddle shoes, cowboy boots and patent-leather flats -- in walking positions and headed to the donation box on the shop's porch.
Mantis soon began receiving donations of 20 to 50 pairs of shoes a day.
"It was unbelievable. What a trip. We had little old ladies bringing in two at a time. Men in wheelchairs carried shoes in their teeth," she said. "Then there was a group of siblings who didn't believe their mom when she told them there are children without shoes. I showed them some photos and they handed their extra shoes right over."
Stanwood Elementary School teacher Kathy Tredo joined the effort, telling her fifth-graders a story about a brother and sister in India who had to share a pair of shoes. Soon her colleagues and their students all were donating shoes.
"Susanna is doing a great thing. She's caring and passionate, and people have really caught the bug from her," Tredo said.
Mantis, who grew up in a Greek-Italian family, recalls feeling resentful when her father would hire people right out of jail to work in his restaurant and then invite them to Christmas. Those holidays sowed the seeds of caring for others, however, she said. After suffering an injury after running a couple marathons, Mantis took off her high heels and changed her career to focus on caring for people dealing with pain.
For more than 10 years she has produced essential oils as alternative remedies for aches, practiced foot reflexology and taught yoga. Mantis opened Z's a couple years ago and immediately began looking for a big community service project to lead.
As the shoe drive went on during February, boxes and boxes of shoes began taking over the yoga room at the shop. They filled the trunk of Mantis' car and a storage room. She asked the crew at a nearby Starbucks store to take down a donation box she had set up there.
When the number of shoes donated reached 1,200 pairs on Tuesday, Mantis had to limit people to donations of children's shoes or the financial help to get the shoes shipped off to Soles4Souls.
"People have been so generous," Mantis said. "Every day when I come to work and see all the shoes, I am just in tears. How could you not be?"
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Moxie Kids Announces Shoe Drive to Benefit Soles4Souls Inc.
[from the Carolina Newswire]
Moxie Kids announced today that it is hosting a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls Inc., the international footwear charity that delivers shoes to needy people around the world. During the shoe drive, Moxie Kids will be offering a 15% discount on Spring/Summer shoes to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive will begin on March 1, 2009 and will end on March 15, 2009. Moxie Kids is located at 2026 Cameron St. in Cameron Village, Raleigh, NC.
"Many of our customers are interested in recycling as well as charitable giving," said Gina DeFrank, co-owner of Moxie Kids. "This shoe drive gives them a good discount on new shoes that their own growing kids need as well as the opportunity to recycle their shoes from the previous season in support of a great cause," she said.
"We are excited that Moxie Kids is working with us to spread joy to people, both here in the United States and around the world," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "It is only because of proactive retail stores, such as Moxie Kids, that we are able to accomplish our goal of getting shoes on the feet of people who need them most," he said.
For more information on how you can get involved with this shoe drive and take advantage of the discount toward a new pair of shoes, contact Beth Podlesnik, Manager, (919) 821-3348.
About Moxie Kids
Moxie Kids is a childrens boutique located in Raleigh's Cameron Village and online at www.moxiekidsonline.com. The store specializes in unique clothing and shoes with a modern twist for boys and girls ages 0 to 8. In 2008, Moxie Kids was voted best Children's Store in the Triangle by Citysearch.
Auburn Tigers Students Collecting Shoes for Soles4Souls
[from Morgan Stashick at the Auburn Plainsman]
A campaign by members of SGA to collect shoes for those in need kicked off Tuesday.
The campaign is in connection with Soles4Souls, an organization with one mission: to impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes.
Auburns Tiger Tuesdays program ELF, Exploring Leadership for Freshmen, is joining Souls4Souls efforts for the fourth year to receive shoes and give them away in a campus-wide drive.
According to Soles4Souls.org, the organization was founded in 2004.
The organization has donated more than 1 million shoes to victims of the Asian tsunami and Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
Its goal is to bring the relief of footwear to people who are affected by natural disasters and to other areas in need across the United States and other countries around the world.
Being from Mobile, I have seen firsthand the destruction caused by Katrina and how devastating it was to so many people on the Gulf Coast said Stacie Davis, assistant director of ELF, in an e-mail. Soles4Souls provides brand new shoes to these people, some of them who have lost everything they own.
The first year ELF was involved with Soles4Souls, 300 pairs of shoes were donated to those in need.
Last year donations increased to about 2,000 pairs of shoes.
We ask that people donate $2 along with their shoes to pay for shipping, said Victoria Bennett, director of ELF and a sophomore majoring in microbiology and pre-med. This year our goal is 2,000 pairs of shoes and $2,000.
A distribution center in Roanoke handles where the locally collected shoes are sent.
According to the Soles4Souls Web site, domestic areas in need of donated shoes include the Appalachia Mountains region, summer camps for disadvantaged children, Navajo/Hopi Indian reservations, womens domestic abuse shelters, inner city hospitals and homeless shelters.
Shoes collected by the organization are also distributed to orphanages and villages around the world.
Bennett said chapter visits made by members of ELF and simple word of mouth are spreading the message about the Soles4Souls organization and their shoe drive on the Auburn campus.
We are very excited that ELF is partnering with the Athletic Department during the mens LSU basketball game on March 7, said Landon McKean, ELF graduate adviser. Everyone is encouraged to bring a pair of shoes in support of Soles4Souls in order to be admitted to the game for free.
Bennett said extra spirit points will also be awarded to those in the Greek community who bring a pair of shoes to the basketball game.
Collection bins will be set up in residence halls, Haley Center, the Student Center and other buildings on campus.
Students are asked to drop off shoes from Feb. 24 until March 10.
This organization helps so many people, and I am so excited that we, as Auburn students, can help them help others, Davis said.
Foot Solutions in Raritan, NJ, to Host Shoe Drive
Foot Solutions will host a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls Inc., the international footwear charity that delivers shoes to needy people around the world.
During the shoe drive, Foot Solutions will be offering a $15 discount to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive will end on Saturday, March 21.
Foot Solutions is at the corner of Orlando Drive and Route 206 in the Stop and Shop Mall in Raritan.
For more information on how you can get involved with this shoe drive and take advantage of the discount toward a new pair of shoes, contact George Tay at 908-595-0799 or visit www.footsolutions.com/raritan/.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Salem (MA) Store Collects Shoes for Soles4Souls
Store's shoe collection good for the sole
By Cate Lecuyer
staff writer, The Salem News
BEVERLY — Most people have extra sneakers lying around.
And most people throw them out when they clean out their closets, said Wes Lassen, manager of New England Running Company.However, he hopes that will change. The business recently began collecting gently worn shoes. People can drop them off in a bin, and they'll go to charity.
"It's giving it to needy kids all over the world," Lassen said.
Over the years, many customers have asked if the business recycles shoes, so they decided to start, he said.
New England Running Company has partnered with Soles4Souls, a Tennessee nonprofit that donates more than 4 million pairs of shoes a year to underprivileged people in more than 70 countries.
Although New England Running specializes in sneakers, Soles4Souls welcomes any kind of shoes, from women's dress to hiking boots, said Chris Carmichael, communications director for the nonprofit. Children's athletics are in particularly high demand.
"Kids grow out of shoes so fast, and it's something we're always in need of," Carmichael said.
The organization formed after the 2004 tsunami that devastated coastal areas around the Indian Ocean and killed more than 200,000 people. Carmichael said the donations now go many different people, including victims of natural disasters, those living in extreme poverty, and women overcoming domestic violence.
"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," said founder and CEO Wayne Elsey.
Carmichael said the donations should be in good shape.
"The general rule of thumb is anything you would wear yourself," he said. But if you think they belong in the trash, send them anyway. If they're unusable, instead of throwing them out, the nonprofit grinds them up into a soft rubber and asphalt material that's used to surface playgrounds and running tracks.
Lassen estimates New England Running has collected close to 200 shoes so far and is hoping for more.
"We've filled that bin up three times in the last three weeks," he said. "The word is spreading."
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Williamsville North High School (NY) Environmental Science Class Collecting Shoes for Soles4Souls
Williamsville residents in upstate NY are invited to drop off their gently-worn shoes to the Environmental Science Class at Williamsville North High School. So far, the students have collected over 400 pairs of shoes, which will be used to benefit needy people worldwide.
You are invited to personally drop off your shoes from now until March 9, 2009. Contact Kim Preshoff or Rick Bubar at 716-626-8374 for more information.
Williamsville North High School is located at:
1595 Hopkins Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
You are invited to personally drop off your shoes from now until March 9, 2009. Contact Kim Preshoff or Rick Bubar at 716-626-8374 for more information.
Williamsville North High School is located at:
1595 Hopkins Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
Carlsbad (CA) Woman Organizes Shoe Drive for the Needy
Act of charity was a Christmas present for husband
[from the NORTH COUNTY TIMES]
by Stacy Brandt
[from the NORTH COUNTY TIMES]
by Stacy Brandt
As a Christmas gift to her husband, a local woman hopes to collect at least 2,500 shoes next month to give to needy people.
Liz Jones, a Carlsbad resident, said she came up with the idea after hearing about another woman who, more than 30 years ago, was inspired to donate to charity each year as a Christmas present to her husband, who didn't agree with the commercialization of the holiday.
Jones is working with local public agencies, businesses and schools to bring in as many shoes as possible, she said.
Her husband, Phillip, said he was thrilled with the work his wife is doing in his honor.
He said that as a child, he didn't get shoes often and cherished every pair that he got.
"I didn't grown up in a wealthy family," Phillip Jones said. "When I got a new pair of shoes, it was a big deal. It was a really big deal."
Now, he has amassed quite a collection ---- more than 50 pairs, he figured. He said he plans to donate about half of those to his wife's shoe drive, which will run Feb. 23-27.
Carlsbad Unified School District campuses will have donation boxes set up next week for children and parents to donate. Half of the shoes collected will go to people in San Diego County, while the other half will go to the Soles4Souls nonprofit group, which will distribute them to needy people across the globe.
Superintendent John Roach said he thought the shoe drive was a good idea.
"People in our community probably have a bunch of boxes of shoes in their closet," he said. "It's that time of year ---- spring cleaning ---- and there are people all over the world who could probably use those shoes."
The drive will also remind students of the importance of charity and could spur more philanthropy, Roach said.
"It just shows people that it doesn't take a lot to do some good for a lot of people," he said.
Jones said she hopes to make the shoe drive an annual event that will grow each year.
A list of drop-off locations and more information is available online at www.heartnsole.org. Also on the Web site is the original story that inspired Jones, "For the Man Who Hated Christmas," which was published in Woman's Day magazine in 1982.
Contact staff writer Stacy Brandt at (760) 901-4009 or sbrandt@nctimes.com.
Friday, February 20, 2009
South Florida homeless to get 10,000 pairs of shoes
Soles4Souls will be sending new shoes for the feet of 10,000 homeless people in the Miami area.
Soles4Souls announced today that it's partnering with the Red Wing shoe company, of Minnesota, and the Hollywood-based watch company, Invicta, to distribute the footwear beginning next week.
Distribution for the first 1,000 pairs of shoes will take place at Miami's Camillus House on Tuesday.
Soles4Souls collected, refurbished and distributed in Haiti an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 shoes that were found scattered along the southbound lanes of the Palmetto Expressway near Bird Road in the early morning hours of Jan. 2.
Authorities suspect they fell off a truck that didn't stick around.
"Soles4Souls is not only dedicated to keeping useable footwear out of our landfills, but also in putting shoes on the feet of needy people around the world," said Wayne Elsey, the organization's founder and CEO.
Elsey said Soles4Souls asked some of its corporate partners to help give back to the Miami community. Red Wing and Invicta "stepped up to the plate in a huge way," he said.
UMC collecting shoes for Soles4Souls at Games
The University of Minnesota, Crookston Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) is hosting Soles4Soles at this Saturday’s basketball game (Feb 21st) with St. Cloud State. Fans are encouraged to bring their used/gently worn shoes to donate to Soles4Soles. Fans that bring a pair of shoes will get into the games for free! The UMC women and men play St. Cloud State at 2 & 4 p.m.
UMC will also be hosting the WBCA “Pink Zone” Night. This is a promotion with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to raise breast cancer awareness. All cancer survivors will get into the game free, everyone wearing pink will get into a reduced price and Golden Eagle athletes will be selling pink t-shirts with the M-Crookston logo on them for $5.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Current Situation in Reynosa, Mexico
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, we actively support many children and families living in Reynosa, Mexico. If you have donated shoes to us in the past year, it's a safe bet that many ended up in the hands of the little kids living in the ramshackle housing complexes inside the city. (Reynosa lies immediately south of the U.S border, near McAllen, Texas.)
These families, and the children in particular, have struck a chord with us. You've never seen such wide smiles as when they receive a new pair of shoes -- it's almost as if we gave them a box containing pure gold instead of a decent pair of shoes.
It's no secret that violence -- due to the rapid escalation of an ongoing drug war -- has wracked Mexico recently. This past Tuesday (February 17), at least six people were killed and a number of police officers were wounded in an open gun battle in the middle of the city, including a prolonged gun fight around an elementary school.
In 2008, Mexico endured more than 6,000 drug-related homicides; 2009 is on pace to be much worse. We feel that all the aid organizations that lend much-needed support to our Mexican neighbors should step up their donations in light of the horrible circumstances in the region. We certainly will.
This is considered "real life" immediately south of our own border, but it might as well be across the world in the more familiar war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.
We will not stop supporting our friends in Reynosa, despite the obvious dangers. We want you to be aware of where your donations go so you can clearly see, full circle, how your support of Soles4Souls and other charities truly impacts those who aren't fortunate enough to live a couple miles to the north.
We all have much to be thankful for, and the team at Soles4Souls thanks you for your continued support of our programs.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
First Baptist Church of Oronogo in Missouri Hosting Shoe Drive During March
"Mile in Their Shoes" Drive, First Baptist Church of Oronogo, Missouri
Over three million children and one billion adults are walking this earth without adequate foot coverings.
People have resorted to searching for necessary items to live on such as food or clothing, barefoot, in the landfills. Some call that their place of employment. Imagine for a moment what it would be like to live the way you do, work where you work, and play as you play day in and day out with inadequate protection on your feet. Think about all the medical issues that can happen such as cuts, bruises, an infection, frostbite, and burns; you get the point.
Together, we can help. Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization whose mission is Changing the World – One Pair at a Time™. First Baptist Church of Oronogo will be collaborating with Soles4Souls and the local community to provide shoes to people in need. They will go to those in need in our own communities, as well as, to the rest of the world.
So, let's clean out our closets and donate our gently worn or new shoes at the location(s) below. Any monetary donations will be used to cover shipping and to purchase new shoes.
All sizes are accepted and much appreciated.
Contact: Tammy Virgin, 417-499-6360 or shoes@fbcoronogo.com
Dates: Entire month of March 2009
Drop off site:
First Baptist Church of Oronogo
10040 County Lane 230 (corner of MM & 96 Hwys)
Oronogo, MO 64855
417-673-4784
Get info at shoes@fbcoronogo.com
or visit www.fbcoronogo.com
Think Outside the Recycling Bin
[from WJHG.com]
As the winter season comes to an end and Floridians begin to think about spring cleaning, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, or DEP, encourages residents to apply the 3 Rs -- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle -- and discover ways to recycle items that may not normally be considered recycle-friendly.
"We all understand the importance of recycling," said Mary Jean Yon, Director of DEP's Division of Waste Management. "Reducing waste can also help keep our landfills from filling up. Most people think of recycling newspapers, cans and bottles, but your closets, desks and drawers are filled with items that can also be recycled."
Tips and resources for practicing the 3 Rs while de-cluttering your home or office:
Athletic shoes - Local running clubs often collect athletic shoes for charitable causes such as homeless shelters and women's refuge houses. Soles4Souls collects gently worn shoes of all kinds and donates them to those in need (www.soles4souls.org).
University of Minnesota / Crookston Holding Shoe Drive for Soles4Souls
[from the Golden Eagles' Website]
On Saturday, (February 21) The University of Minnesota, Crookston Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) is hosting a Soles4Soles shoe drive during the basketball game with St. Cloud State. Fans are encouraged to bring their new or gently worn shoes to donate to Soles4Soles. Fans that bring a pair of shoes will get into the games for free.
Soles4Souls ships the shoes directly to people in need, domestically and internationally. Soles4Souls was founded in 2004 by Wayne Elsey, who felt compelled to do something after seeing a picture of a single shoe washed up on the beach, while watching the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, according to the Web site, soles4souls.org.
Elsey contacted friends in the shoe industry and managed to arrange the donation of a quarter of a million shoes to survivors of the tsunami, according to the Web site. A year later, after Hurricane Katrina hit, Elsey called his friends again and gathered a million pairs of shoes for survivors. Because of the success of his campaign, Elsey decided to start a non-profit organization to help shoeless people around the world. His motto is "changing the world one pair at a time." Soles4Souls has given away more than three million pairs of shoes in 45 states and 61 countries through donations from shoe companies, retailers, churches and schools.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Soles4Souls 4 Jesse Knowles
14-year-old with Cancer Inspires Footwear Drive
C&L Recycling in Clarksville, Tennessee, Join Forces with Soles4Souls to Collect Shoes and Funds
Jesse Knowles is a fighter. Despite having an extremely rare form of cancer -- brain tumor cancer -- Jesse remains incredibly upbeat and is inspiring hundreds of people with his story. One of the unique ways people are getting behind Jesse is with a footwear drive to benefit needy people around the world, while raising funds for his battle against cancer at the same time.
C&L Recycling Center in Clarksville has partnered with Soles4Souls, the international footwear charity dedicated to providing free footwear to people in need around the world. While the collected shoes will go to needy people in the U.S. and around the world, all funds collected during the drive will be deposited into a fund to help Jesse and his family pay his medical bills."Jesse is an incredible inspiration to all of us," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "His amazing faith in God and his tenacity in facing this situation is remarkable, and we applaud his courage. We want to thank C&L Recycling for hosting this shoe drive and fundraiser and invite all of our friends to get involved," he said.
C&L Recycling Inc. is located at 1515 C Vista Lane, Clarksville TN 37043. Visitors are encouraged to bring gently worn shoes to the center and donate a few dollars that will be deposited into a fund for Jesse Knowles. To read Jesse's story, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/jesseknowles.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Brown Shoes (retailer in Upper Arlington) hosting Shoe Drive Through February
[from wire reports, posted at Columbus News]
Brown Steps Forward to Serve as Shoe Donation Place, Too
The retail footwear store will collect shoes through the end of February as part of a worldwide mission.
By DONAVON CAMPBELL
Anyone who has ever tiptoed across gravel-covered ground -- or hot-footed it through sun-baked sand -- knows that going without shoes is often no fun.
The overwhelming problem, however, is not that occasionally people take an ill-advised jaunt across inhospitable terrain. Worldwide, there are millions of people who do not have an option.
That is why Brown Shoes Inc., a locally owned shoe store in Upper Arlington for the past 45 years, is holding a shoe collection drive throughout February.
Once the shoes are collected, said Brown Shoes owner Jeff Brown, they will be given to Nashville-based Soles4Souls. It's an organization that refurbishes used shoes and donates them to those in need.
"We decided we would partner up with them and open our doors to everybody who wants to get some shoes to us ... and we'll get them down to Nashville to Soles4Souls," said Brown.
He will sweeten the pot by giving a $10 discount on a new pair of shoes to anybody who donates.
"People can clean their wardrobes out and if they'd like to get some new shoes, they would save some money," Brown said.
Soles4Souls founder Wayne Elsey said the idea for the organization hit him while he was watching footage of the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that killed more than 225,000 people in 11 countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
Elsey, who was working in the shoe industry at the time, said he saw a shoe floating among the flood waters on television when the idea struck him.
Since then, Soles4Souls has donated more than 4 million shoes to people in nearly 70 countries worldwide.
"We estimate there are 1.8 billion pairs of shoes sitting in Americans' closets," Elsey said. "What we do is we ask Americans to recycle those shoes in their closets and keep them out of landfills."
He said people might be surprised to hear that 55 percent of the shoes collected go to individuals in need right here in the United States.
"The reality is there are 300 million people around the world that don't have shoes," said Elsey.
While he is proud of the 4 million pairs of shoes already donated, the number is not nearly enough, he said.
"Our goal is to close that gap" between 4 million and 300 million, Elsey said.
Brown said he discovered Soles4Souls at a national convention. While Brown Shoes has been involved in local donations for many years, Brown said he was impressed enough to want to contribute on a larger scale.
"We think their organization is doing a great job for the footwear industry and for people in need," Brown said. "I just thought it would be a good thing to do."
The shoe drive began Feb. 6 and will run through Feb. 28, Brown said.
Shoes can be dropped off at Brown Shoes Inc., 2108 Tremont Center in Upper Arlington.
For more information on Soles4Souls, visit the Web site giveshoes.org.
"We estimate there are 1.8 billion pairs of shoes sitting in Americans' closets. What we do is we ask Americans to recycle those shoes in their closets and keep them out of landfills."
Brown Steps Forward to Serve as Shoe Donation Place, Too
The retail footwear store will collect shoes through the end of February as part of a worldwide mission.
By DONAVON CAMPBELL
Anyone who has ever tiptoed across gravel-covered ground -- or hot-footed it through sun-baked sand -- knows that going without shoes is often no fun.
The overwhelming problem, however, is not that occasionally people take an ill-advised jaunt across inhospitable terrain. Worldwide, there are millions of people who do not have an option.
That is why Brown Shoes Inc., a locally owned shoe store in Upper Arlington for the past 45 years, is holding a shoe collection drive throughout February.
Once the shoes are collected, said Brown Shoes owner Jeff Brown, they will be given to Nashville-based Soles4Souls. It's an organization that refurbishes used shoes and donates them to those in need.
"We decided we would partner up with them and open our doors to everybody who wants to get some shoes to us ... and we'll get them down to Nashville to Soles4Souls," said Brown.
He will sweeten the pot by giving a $10 discount on a new pair of shoes to anybody who donates.
"People can clean their wardrobes out and if they'd like to get some new shoes, they would save some money," Brown said.
Soles4Souls founder Wayne Elsey said the idea for the organization hit him while he was watching footage of the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that killed more than 225,000 people in 11 countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
Elsey, who was working in the shoe industry at the time, said he saw a shoe floating among the flood waters on television when the idea struck him.
Since then, Soles4Souls has donated more than 4 million shoes to people in nearly 70 countries worldwide.
"We estimate there are 1.8 billion pairs of shoes sitting in Americans' closets," Elsey said. "What we do is we ask Americans to recycle those shoes in their closets and keep them out of landfills."
He said people might be surprised to hear that 55 percent of the shoes collected go to individuals in need right here in the United States.
"The reality is there are 300 million people around the world that don't have shoes," said Elsey.
While he is proud of the 4 million pairs of shoes already donated, the number is not nearly enough, he said.
"Our goal is to close that gap" between 4 million and 300 million, Elsey said.
Brown said he discovered Soles4Souls at a national convention. While Brown Shoes has been involved in local donations for many years, Brown said he was impressed enough to want to contribute on a larger scale.
"We think their organization is doing a great job for the footwear industry and for people in need," Brown said. "I just thought it would be a good thing to do."
The shoe drive began Feb. 6 and will run through Feb. 28, Brown said.
Shoes can be dropped off at Brown Shoes Inc., 2108 Tremont Center in Upper Arlington.
For more information on Soles4Souls, visit the Web site giveshoes.org.
"We estimate there are 1.8 billion pairs of shoes sitting in Americans' closets. What we do is we ask Americans to recycle those shoes in their closets and keep them out of landfills."
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