A Gift at Royal Family Kids Camp

Linda Chenot with Royal Family Kids Camp sent us this email of kids receiving footwear in an unusual and exciting way.

On Wednesday afternoon after 30/30 time we all headed out to the softball field for a group sporting game, and an exciting afternoon of surprises. While we are all playing on the softball field the local fire department showed. At first the kids weren’t sure if there was a fire or something but when they saw Ms. Caelyn, the Bible teacher, on the truck waving, they all ran towards the truck with excitement.

The fire department spent time showing the kids the truck, all the different compartments and talked to them about fire fighting. Then they began giving the campers and counselors rides around the campground on the fire truck. Each camper got to wear a fire hat while they were on the fire truck.

While campers were getting rides on the fire truck, the second truck began to hose down the softball field, which entertained the rest of us. After hosing down the field we realized that they were actually making a giant X on the far end of the field. All the kids were talking about what they were doing and why they were marking the field. Right about that time we saw a helicopter in the sky, circling around and getting lower. It was beautiful…..it first appeared through the dark stormy clouds, and then circled around to the clear blue skies, through the clouds and began its descent to land right in front of us.

As it got closer the kids got more and more excited, jumping up and down and waving and cheering. WOW…..what an experience! Once the local “flight for life” helicopter had landed the campers got to take pictures with the helicopter and “flight for life” team.

If all the pictures with the fire truck, the helicopter and fire truck rides were not exciting enough…….the next one was picture perfect. The fire fighters had all the kids’ line up right in front of the helicopter and fire truck, shoulder to shoulder and the fire fighters and “flight for life” team handed our brand new crocs to each camper that had been donated by Soles4Souls. What an exciting afternoon!

Market Street Shoes

Market Street Athlete in Seattle, WA has been collecting gently worn shoes for Soles4Souls for about a year now.

"We look at it as an opportunity to have a way for the community to give back to people in need," said owner Ryan Stauffer.

Inside his store, the collection box is right next to the register so customers who buy new shoes know they can come back with their old, unwanted shoes. And they do.

"In fact, just this morning, someone came in with two shopping bags full," Stauffer said.

The Market Street Athlete collects 250 pairs of shoes each month.

ZIPZ Shoes to Donate 18,000 Pairs of Shoes to Soles4Souls

Orange County-based ZIPZ Shoes will donate 18,000 pairs of their state-of-the-art, interchangeable shoes valued at $300,000 to Soles4Souls this week.

Jerry Stefani, creator and founder of ZIPZ Shoes says, "The result of changing styles and patterns from our 2008 inventory will give thousands of less fortunate children around the world the first look at some of the newest and hippest shoes on the planet."

ZIPZ Shoes is a unique system where the shoe tops and bottoms -- "covers" and "souls" as ZIPZ calls them -- are interchangeable to create different combinations. The separate pieces are available in a variety of patterns, styles and colors in toddler, youth and adult sizes.

The shoes are currently being sold in numerous worldwide retailers and will appear in multiple United States retail locations this fall to begin their nationwide launch. Currently, a limited number of shoes are available for preorder at http://www.zipzshoes.com/.

Shoes to Liberia

Temple Baptist Ministries is a partner of Soles4Souls in Liberia, Africa. These pictures, sent last week, capture children and men receiving shoes for the first time! Below is the note from the point man on the ground, Guanue Gbendah:

Hi Soles4Souls,
these were my best photos for the week. These kids were very happy to have getting the shoes, these two men in their 80 years and this is their first shoes they ever had!
What a blessing, and words cannot express it.

In His Service:
Pastor Guanue Gbendah your partner

Woman's Life Inspires Massive Shoe Drive

More than a year after her passing, Mary Sumner is still remembered for many reasons.

Her spunk and energy, even into her 80s, inspired those who knew her — especially at Sumner’s home church of Blue Ridge Chapel in Hillsville, VA.

Finding a way to honor Sumner, who served as director of the New River Baptist Women’s Ministry and WMU for several years, was as easy as taking off a shoe.

“Anyone who knew Mary Sumner remembers her vivaciousness and contagious happiness, her love for little dressy high heels, and her love and support for missions. After her death, the women of the New River Baptist Association tried to think of a way to honor her,” said Evelyn Beamer, a member of both the NRBA and Blue Ridge Chapel. “After learning about Soles4Souls and its mission of providing shoes — new or gently used — to people all over the world in need of shoes, it seemed like the perfect fit.”

The effort culminated June 17 with the delivery of 977 pairs of shoes to Virginia Produce, where the shoes were readied to be shipped to Soles4Souls’ world headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.

Beamer said the effort began during the annual meeting of the New River Baptist Association WMU and Women’s Ministry, when the group agreed to sponsor a shoe drive for Soles4Souls during the month of May in honor of Sumner. In total, nine different churches and a beauty salon contributed shoes to the cause.

“We appreciate everybody’s thoughtfulness in getting shoes to us and in getting us new shoes,” said Mary Ann Combs, a member at Blue Ridge Chapel. “Some were new shoes and that was so impressive. It just shows what a good kind of people Carroll County has got.”

Beamer and other organizers were overwhelmed by the amount of shoes the churches were able to collect in a little over a month’s time. She said it was just as amazing to see what transpired during a Sunday morning church service on May 31 at Blue Ridge Chapel. That day, Pastor David Moore caught the congregation offguard when he invited people to leave the shoes they were wearing at the altar and to think about people who didn’t have shoes as they left church barefoot. Moore was the first to leave his shoes at the altar. By the end of the service, 37 other people had left their shoes.

“It was amazing how many people left their Sunday shoes at the altar. And it was a sacrifice because it was their good shoes,” Beamer said. “Most of them have been really good shoes.”

Church members know Sumner would be excited by the mission, especially if she could have seen the room at Blue Ridge Chapel that housed the shoes, a room so full you could barely open the door.

“Mary would be so proud,” said Combs. “One thing she loved so good was her high heel shoes. Every time we paired up a pair of high heels, I thought of her. I think she would be so pleased we did that in her honor.”

PUMA and Soles4Souls Receive Footwear Donation from Aaron Eckhart

[click here to read more about this program]

Soles4Souls and PUMA are currently working together to collect shoes for people in need around the world. All PUMA stores are offering 30% off to customers who bring in a pair of their own gently worn shoes to donate. Customers will have until July 12th to take advantage of the generous discount.

As part of the kickoff for this fantastic event, PUMA and Soles4Souls set up two oversized donation boxes in New York City for people to come by and toss in their shoes and walk away with a pair of Soles4Souls flip-flops as a thank you.

Several celebrities, including movie star Aaron Eckhart, made a donation of his very own kicks. Aaron is the star of such movies as "Batman: The Dark Knight" and "Thank You For Smoking."

We are very grateful that he took the time out to give us his shoes -- even though the person who receives these New Balance shoes will never know that a famous movie star once owned them, we know they will be thrilled to have a good pair of athletic shoes....

NCS Middle Collects for Soles4Souls

Before Nashville Christian School students left for summer break, the middle school finished up the school year with a service project for Soles4Souls.

Sixth-grade teacher Kathryn Gilbert organized the shoe drive, which collected 850 pairs of shoes to be sent to the Soles4Souls inventory.

"This was a great project because the students got to donate something they didn't necessarily need, but knew that others would need and benefit from," Gilbert said. "They were also amazed when they saw the pile of all the shoes we had collected."

The shoe drive was set up as a contest for the middle school grades with the fifth grade taking the prize, which included a week of wearing flip-flops to school.

New Eneslow Survey Suggests More than 25% of the Shoes Americans Own Are Too Uncomfortable to Wear

When it comes to shoes, men and women alike have been known to suffer for the sake of fashion. But what happens when the pain is just too much? A new national survey by Eneslow, The Foot Comfort Center, finds that millions of Americans, driven by discomfort, relegate shoes they can 't wear anymore to the back of their closets or throw them out altogether.

According to the survey, the average American owns 11 pairs of shoes, and almost three in ten (28%) have this much footwear or more lying around.

But unfortunately, more than six in 10 (61%) admit there 's at least one pair of shoes in their closets that they don 't really wear anymore. On average, three pairs – or more than a quarter of what they own – are going unworn. And a wasteful 11 percent admit to 10 or more unemployed shoes collecting dust in their homes!

"With consumers across the country looking for ways to stretch their dollars, it pains me that most Americans not only waste money by buying uncomfortable shoes, but underestimate the damage they can do to their feet," said Robert S. Schwartz, a Board Certified Pedorthist (C. Ped.) and fourth-generation footwear maven who is president and CEO of Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises, Inc. "If you have a pair of shoes you love, but don 't love you, don 't wear them."

Schwartz thinks people should donate their usable shoes to Soles4Souls, instead of living through the pain. All Eneslow locations are drop-off sites.

"At Eneslow 's three locations in New York City and Little Neck, we have 15 pedorthists who watch our customers walk, ” says Schwartz. “They check their feet, determine when, where, and why they get pain. All of these answers help us find which products and materials will help them."

Folks at the Brimfield Senior Center Supporting Soles4Souls

Members of the Brimfield Senior Center in Brimfield, MA are stepping up their fund-raising efforts while helping people in need throughout the world.

Pairing during the month of June with Soles4Souls, the seniors are collecting monetary donations from family, friends, teachers and neighbors for the purchase of new Soles4Souls clogs or flip-flops. They are also collecting shoes.

Funds generated by the project will be used for senior center parties and programs like speakers, health clinics and performances.

Like many other schools and organizations, the Brimfield Senior Center often utilizes fund-raising programs to generate revenue for its operations and goals. The Soles4Souls program provides an innovative alternative to traditional fund-raisers, so seniors are able to raise money while making a difference in the lives of others.

New and gently used comfortable shoes also can be donated to Soles4Souls by bringing them to the Senior Center at the Brimfield Congregational Church, 20 Main St.

Monetary donations can be sent to the senior center at P.O. Box 172, Brimfield, MA 01010. Make checks payable to Soles4Souls.

"We have been looking for a good cause, something to get involved in that will help a lot of people in need," said Heather M. Dickinson, activities coordinator for the senior center. "We do our own parties, lunches and other activities. We are a close group, like family."

Teen Launches New Shoes Program

Courtney Parker traveled to 14 Baldwin County elementary campuses in Alabama during the 2008-09 school term to distribute new shoes to kindergartners through her newly created "Running Start" program.

The project's goal is to distribute new footwear to low-income kindergarten students.

"I had this wonderful feeling inside, like what we were doing was really going to make a difference in people's lives. That was when it hit me that our concept, 'Running Start Shoes,' had actually become a reality. It was a great day," she said.

Parker decided to call her concept "Running Start Shoes," and with the help of her mother, local psychiatrist Dr. Sandra Parker, she pitched the idea to Paul Wilson, the World Outreach Division president for the Soles4Souls.

Wilson, an Alabama native who divides his time between Alabama and Tennessee, loved the idea and immediately volunteered to help.

"Courtney's initiative was a model for what our organization does," Wilson said. "She identified a local need, and we were glad to come along and work beside her. That's what we do here, we give shoes to those around the corner and around the world."

In May, with the help of Soles4Souls, community sponsors and the Baldwin County school system, Parker's project finally came to fruition when she delivered nearly 100 shoes to kindergartners at the Baldwin County elementary schools.

Parker's plans don't stop with Baldwin County, however. She plans to expand the program, and has already contacted state education officials and her local legislators, many of whom are eager to help, she said.

"It's programs like Courtney's that begin at the community levels that truly make a difference," said Rep. Jamie Ison, R-Mobile. "I'd love to see 'Running Start Shoes' become a statewide campaign, and I've already made a pitch on her behalf at the State Department of Education to help distribute information about her initiative to local entities."

And, while Parker would also like to see the program expand, for right now, she said she's just happy knowing that she's helped scores of Baldwin County's youngest learners feel a little more confident during their first days of school.

Get Your Tickets Now for "Jeff Fisher & Friends" Charity Event

The 2009 “Jeff Fisher & Friends” Charity Softball Game is set for Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 7 PM at Greer Stadium. $15.00-Reserved. $10.00-General Admission. $6.00-Kids’ ticket, 12 and under.

General admission tickets are available through the Nashville Sounds ticket office, by calling at 615-242-4371, or online at www.nashvillesounds.com. All proceeds will go to benefit Soles4Souls.

The Tennesse Titans head coach Jeff Fisher will be calling on famous pals for the ninth annual Charity Softball Game. Although the list of this year's players is top secret, past pals have included a myriad of Titans like Kerry Collins, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Vince Young, Cortland Finnegan, Steve McNair, Eddie George, Frank Wycheck, Rob Bironas, Keith Bulluck and many more.

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. is the “Hit it Out of the Park” contest between the NFL Players. Bridgestone and Best One will again host a dazzling fireworks display to cap off the evening.

PUMA Partners with Soles4Souls

Sportslifestyle brand PUMA has once again teamed up with Soles4Souls to encourage people across America to turn in their gently worn shoes and donate them.

From June 15th to July 12th, PUMA will be collecting slightly worn shoes at every one of their stores across the country. In return, PUMA will give the generous donors 30% off a new pair of kicks in hopes of rallying people to give back to those in need! During this time period, consumers will also be able to make a monetary donation to the cause at all PUMA store locations.

In addition to collecting shoes in-store, PUMA and Soles4Souls are encouraging people to take action and literally give the shoes off of their feet. At two exclusive locations this summer, a larger-than-life PUMA Red drop box will be on-hand ready for footwear donations.

On June 15th in New York City's Union Square, and on June 23rd on the Santa Monica Pier, donors can turn in their shoes on the spot by tossing them in a giant 10 foot tall donation box. Soles4Souls flip flops and a coupon for 30% off a new pair at the PUMA store will be given to participants. The oversized drop boxes will only be on-hand for one day in each city from 11 am to 7 pm.

This is the second initiative that PUMA and Soles4Souls have worked together. Earlier this year, the sportlifestyle brand collaborated with the non-profit organization on a special program at the Sundance Film Festival where Soles4Souls auctioned a giant PUMA Clyde sneaker which PUMA had signed by attending celebrities and special guests.

Barefoot Friday: Shoes, Socks and...Pizza?

Over 3,000 pairs of free shoes and socks were handed out to people in downtown Portland last Friday. They also received free food, something no other city has done during Barefoot Week.

Delivered Dish, a Portland restaurant delivery service, provided free pizzas and doughnuts to hungry people as they finished their wait in line.

"This was an important way for us to provide a different kind of service to the people of Portland,” said Greg Trombley, Partner at Delivered Dish. "We love to get involved with events like this that benefit local people."

Volunteers from Delivered Dish also helped with the set up and clean up of Barefoot Friday in the North Blocks.

"It was a blessing to have Delivered Dish on hand to feed all these people," stated Chris Carmichael, the Director of Communications at Soles4Souls. "People were so thankful to receive a decent pair of shoes and a hot meal all in the same afternoon."

Shoe Mill Goes the Extra Mile in Giveaway

When it comes to customer service, not many shoe stores do it better than Shoe Mill out of Portland, OR. They take pride in finding the right fit and style for each individual that walks through their door.

Last Friday, on the final day of Barefoot Week, volunteers from Shoe Mill jumped at the chance to extend their customer care to the needy living on the streets of the north blocks in downtown Portland.

Warehouse personnel, managers, shoe runners, office workers and even the President of Shoe Mill took the time to remove old shoes and socks and personally size each man and woman that stood in line for shoes.

"We wanted to serve each individual in the same way we do in our stores," said Ed Habre, President of Shoe Mill. "It's not just about handing someone a free pair of shoes. It's about looking them in the eye, asking their name and treating them with respect by giving them a new pair of shoes that they can wear and enjoy."

It was not an easy task. Over 3,000 pairs of shoes were handed out in a five hour period. Volunteers from Shoe Mill were joined with volunteers from adidas, Bridgetown Ministries and Delivered Dish in the unloading, set up and massive clean-up that followed the event. Josh Habre, Operations Manager for the shoe retailer, thinks it was worth it.

"Giving back to our community with Soles4Souls is an important part of being a successful business,” said Josh. “We are so blessed and feel that it is only right that we make a way to help those in need. We have partnered with Soles4Souls for a long time in order to reach people in need around the world. We saw the opportunity to help right here in our hometown and are excited to give away new shoes and socks to Portlanders in need,” he said.

Cool People Care & Soles4Souls begin Barefoot Revolution

Between June 1 and July 20, Cool People Care and Soles4Souls are teaming up to distribute 50,000 pairs of shoes to people all over the world. CoolPeopleCare.org, the online destination for anyone who wants to make a difference and Soles4Souls launched an exclusive online fundraising campaign called "Barefoot Revolution".

"We're thrilled to be a part of this campaign, because it truly highlights how a very small step can have a very big impact," said Sam Davidson, Co-founder and President of CoolPeopleCare. "We're challenging all of our readers to make a donation so that more and more people around the world can have their basic needs met. And when we all do our small part, we'll truly have a revolution on our hands."

Click here to provide shoes to people who need them. As little as $5 provides two pairs of shoes. And if you can’t dish out a little more, you’ll get a special thank you from Cool People Care – like a limited edition T-shirt you can’t get anywhere else.

A donation of $50 will buy fifteen (20) pairs of shoes for families in need, and you will receive a custom designed T-Shirt promoting the campaign and a CPC sticker. Or you can know that you are the "coolest" and donate $100, which will help buy thirty (40) pairs of new shoes for families in need and you will receive the CPC book, a custom designed T-Shirt celebrating the campaign, and a CPC sticker.

No one knows when life will hit hard. It could be a financial or natural disaster and it can strike at any second to anyone. One day you have everything you need; the next you may only have your life. A pair of shoes can help people begin the rebuilding process. Shoes not only bring hope, but in millions of cases they can save lives.

The Bag Lady Announces Shoe Drive

The Bag Lady announced that they will be hosting a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls.

During the shoe drive, The Bag Lady will be offering a discount coupon to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive began on June 1 and will end on July 31, 2009. The Bag Lady is located at 1710 Kenilworth Ave. in the Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC.

“Soles4Souls is such a worthy cause,” said Susan Burns, Store Manager of The Bag Lady. “It’s a meaningful and easy way to get the local community involved in a global effort. Plus, it’s a great incentive to clean out our closets!” she 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 The Bag Lady at (704) 338-9778. You can also visit their web site at http://www.thebagladync.com/.

Article in the SATA on Giving Back

This article was written by Bill Boettge as seen in the online issue of Shoe & Accessory Travelers Association. Bill Boettge is former executive director of both SATA and the National Shoe Retailers Association, and currently is executive director of the Pedorthic Foundation. He tells an amazing story of partnering with Soles4Souls to make a difference. As you will read here, you don't need a large city to host a successful shoe drive. You don't even need a store. You just need to be willing.

Giving Back Gives Unexpected Joy
Bill Boettge

While there are many worthwhile charities and non-profit groups, the footwear industry can be particularly proud of having created two of them: Two Ten Foundation, which helps people in the industry and their families, and Soles4Souls, which assists people in need worldwide.

We all have the opportunity to serve and help each of these groups. Along with thousands of people in footwear, I have worked with and supported Two Ten for the past 40 years. This past spring I had two opportunities to work with Soles4Souls. In both, the ultimate goal was distribution of footwear – and both experiences were incredibly rich ones.

In late April I was invited, along with nearly 50 vendors and retailers, to help in fitting homeless people in the St. Petersburg, Florida area with free footwear, courtesy of Soles4Souls. We spent nearly half a day at a tent city which provides shelter and services to 250 families. During the first hour, we unloaded a truck and started setting up the footwear inventory – some 1,500 pairs of shoes in a variety of sizes, ranging from work boots to casual wear to athletic shoes, for both men and women. More than 95% were new shoes, donated by manufacturers and retailers all over the United States. Then we began the real work – four local charities had invited their clients to come for free shoes. We sized them, asked what type of shoes they needed, found the shoes in our inventory, and fit more than 400 people
individually. (The remaining shoes were divided among the local charities, so they could give them to other clients who weren’t able to come to our event.)

What we hadn’t expected was what we learned in meeting and talking with these “customers.” It didn’t take long to realize that the only difference between many of today's homeless and those of us who were volunteers was that they were receiving the shoes and we were giving them out.

A large segment of today's homeless have college educations, had owned homes and had been earning very decent salaries. Now, in many cases, due to circumstances beyond their control, they find themselves living in tent cities like the one in Florida. A pair of shoes is something most of us take for granted. In fact, when we put our shoes on in the morning, most of us worry about whether the shoes go with the clothing we’re planning to wear. In Florida, we were reminded of how many things a pair of shoes really represents. Shoes let you walk without worrying, whether you’re on pavement or grass; they give you physical support so you don’t feel as tired; they offer you a better chance to find a job.


All of us who participated in the event were not only humbled and thankful for what we have, but also proud to be part of an industry that gives back by helping our fellow men and women.

Less than a year ago, after a career in the industry, I moved to a small town (15,000 population) back in the Midwest, where I grew up. Like most Americans, I believe you should do your part in serving our fellow man, and since the footwear industry gets into your blood, I wanted to continue serving through the footwear industry. Why not collect gently used footwear from the citizens in my new town?


Soles4Souls has partnered with hundreds of retailers in collecting shoes. I didn't have a local shoe store to work with -- but I did have a service organization that was also interested in helping people in need.

While we hear about all the bad happenings in the world, my faith in the good of people was again renewed beyond my expectations.


Twenty-four local businesses and ten schools signed on. Not only did they gladly accept having a footwear collection box in their building, but the businesses provided me with paper bags to hand out at community events and churches, to remind people to donate their gently worn footwear. And when the collection boxes started to overflow, they stored the extra shoes until I made my biweekly pickup. The newspaper ran articles telling the story of Soles4Souls. The radio station gave us interviews and public service announcements. In a little over three weeks, we collected almost 5,000 pairs of shoes from a population of 15,000. Then a local company donated a truck and driver so I could get the shoes to Milwaukee and onto another truck to take to a Soles4Souls collection center.

Have you ever had a woman walk up to you and thank you for doing something that would let her family’s unneeded shoes help someone in the world not as fortunate as they are? Have you ever met a 10-year-old girl with a birthday party coming up who said the only gift she wanted was for her guests to bring a pair of shoes to donate to Soles4Souls? I did – and it was a blessing to serve as the connector between people who need help and people who want to share their own good fortune. My 10-year-old friend, by the way, collected over 38 pairs – and totally amazed her parents.

I wanted to share with you these stories as a reminder that it’s a pretty great industry we are a part of --and if you are offered an opportunity to participate in or help organize either a Two Ten or Soles4Souls function, please do it. You’ll get back far more than what you give. And I invite you to then share your experience with your fellow reps by sending it to info@shoetravelers.org. It sounds almost trite, but in tough economic times, getting a lift for your spirits is priceless.

A Day of no footwear shows plight of shoeless people

Here is an article written by Carla Hinton of the NewsOK, the daily newspaper serving Oklahoma City. Carla was brave enough to go barefoot for a day during Barefoot Week. Here is her story:


There are some folks who can’t wait to go barefoot.

They come home from a hard day at work, slip off their shoes and let their feet enjoy some freedom.

Others like walking along the beach, the sand crunching underneath their toes, warm sunshine leaving their feet with a pleasant tingling.

I am not one of those people.

So when the charity Soles4Souls issued a challenge to the media to go barefoot, I immediately jumped at the chance to do something different.

I knew it would be a challenge for me in more ways than one because I just don’t like walking around in my bare feet. I have probably spent a mint on socks over the years. My kids, whose feet are larger than mine, hide their socks from me.

No one’s socks are sacred.

By going barefoot Tuesday, I joined several celebrities and others who participated in Soles4Souls’ second annual Barefoot Week.

Soles4Souls is a nonproft organization trying to put pairs of shoes on the feet of the shoeless across the country and the world.

Wayne Esley, the organization’s CEO and founder, said he wanted Barefoot Week to be about experience, more than awareness.

"Everybody can get plugged in. I want you to be able to experience it,” he said during a telephone interview.

The highlights of my barefoot day were riding in the elevator with people who were trying their best not to get caught staring at my feet.

I smiled and started to give an explanation, but the elevator ride just went too quickly and folks seemed in a hurry.

Maybe I was paranoid, but it’s not every day that you see anyone walking around barefoot in our office building.

It rained that day, so I got to experience walking on wet pavement and grass. That was just plain nasty.

An hour later, the rain had stopped (ahh, that Oklahoma weather) and I remembered how hot concrete can be when the sun is beaming on it.

I had to watch for broken glass and other objects as I walked in parking lots. There are a lot of unusually shaped — and hard — rocks out there. I know because I walked on lots of them.

Picking my daughter up from a local gym, I heard a little boy whisper to his mother, "She doesn’t have on any shoes,” as they passed me on the sidewalk.

I felt the heat of shame wash over me. Then I remembered that I had plenty of shoes to wear at home. I thought about all the people whose lack of a decent pair of shoes is not by choice.

Esley said he hopes that going barefoot will encourage some people to be more empathetic to those who are shoeless because they don’t have the resources to get any. He wants people to clean out their closets and donate their "gently worn” shoes or even buy a new pair to donate to Soles4Souls.

The shoe donations can be taken to Finish Line athletic retail stores for a $5 coupon for a new pair of shoes for the donor.

As part of the special week, Soles4Souls worked to distribute 50,000 pairs of new shoes to local nonprofits such as homeless shelters, missions and children’s service organizations in Indianapolis; Atlanta; Birmingham, AL; and Portland, OR. A midnight giveaway is one of two planned events today in Los Angeles.

Esley said Soles4Souls estimates that there are 1.5 billion shoes that no one wears sitting in America’s closets.

"I bet Carla has a pair of shoes like that in her closet,” Esley said.

Yes, indeed.

Barefoot Sunday Results in 700 Pair at Connecticut Church

There were flip-flops and clogs, high heels and sandals.

There were black Converse sneakers, red slip on Jollys and brown leathery work boots.

There were shoes in boxes and shoes in bags. There were shoes on benches. People even gave the shoes off their feet.

The shoes lined the left side of the altar at Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church in Milford, CT. They filled a giant sneaker created by Ryan Lapadula, a 9-year-old third-grader, as the church celebrated its first Barefoot Sunday.

"I suggested that anyone who wanted to experience what it's like not to have shoes, go barefoot during the service," said Leigh Bak, who coordinated the event with Stacy Meszros and Rachel Merva, all of Milford. "We have a very giving and generous congregation, so I'm not surprised."

Sometime this week the shoes will be shipped to Roanoke, Ala., where they will be sorted by type, size and style.

Bak said her church became aware of the need for shoes when several members went on a mission in Vietnam last year.

"We sent hockey bags full of flip-flops with them which they handed out to young girls who make their living picking through garbage piles. Most of the girls are barefoot and run the risk of not only cutting themselves but picking up parasitic infections in their feet."

Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church was one of nearly 200 churches that participated in the second annual Barefoot Sunday.

"We are definitely going to do this again next year," said the Rev. Virginia Hoch, senior pastor.

Barefoot Wednesday: Birmingham, AL

Barefoot Week continued yesterday as Soles4Souls partnered with The Foundry in Birmingham, AL to give away more than 2,000 pairs of shoes and flip-flops.

The Foundry began passing out the shoes, which were donated by shoe companies, at 10 a.m. Word of mouth and last-minute publicity on Tuesday and early Wednesday resulted in huge crowds when the distribution efforts began.

Micah Andrews, volunteer community outreach coordinator for the Foundry, said about 600 shoes were given out in the first hour of the event. About 2,200 pairs were given away during the entire four-hour event.

"The numbers have greatly exceeded what we anticipated," said Andrews.

Andrews said the shoes were available to anyone who needed help.

Even with an hour remaining, more and more people were seen walking into the Foundry for the giveaway and walking out with smiles on their faces.

The Foundry had 4,000 adult name brand shoes and 6,000 flip-flops delivered. Andrews said what shoes remain will be given away to the homeless in the Birmingham area in upcoming Friday events.

"It will really be an opportunity for us to reach out to a lot of homeless and needy families of Birmingham that couldn't be here today," Andrews said. "If you have a need, we want to meet it."

Free Shoes of Hope in Atlanta

City of Refuge in Atlanta, in partnership with Soles4Souls, is giving out over 10,000 pairs of new shoes for their friends in the community. In the coming months, City of Refuge will mobilize volunteers to distribute all of the shoes into the neighborhoods in the surrounding areas.

Yesterday, at 10:00 AM people started to line up, waiting for a free pair of shoes. Workers and volunteers handed out hundreds of new shoes to those in need.

"Yes, it's just a pair of shoes, but behind that is a little bit of hope," said Steve Grimes of City of Refuge.

Seven years ago, when Grimes started working for the non-profit group City of Refuge, a homeless man asked him for a pair of shoes.

"He looked terrible," Grimes remembers. "And he said, 'Can you help me with a pair of shoes?' And I took my shoes off and gave them to him."

Now, he helps sort through 10,000 pair. The boxes are piled around him, waiting for delivery.

"The people who come here, we'll give them a new pair of shoes and ask them to donate their old shoes which will be recycled."

Soles4Souls made the delivery to the epicenter of poverty where City of refuge is located. The neighborhood along Joseph E. Boone has the city's highest violent crime rate, twice the national average of new HIV cases, and the highest number of parolees in any zip code in Georgia.

Executive Director, Bruce Deel, says the space was donated. The brick buildings are filled with volunteers and service centers, including a kitchen that trains young people to cook.

"It happens to be in one of the toughest neighborhoods not just in our city, but statistically, in the state of Georgia. We think that's providential that we're located right in the heart of a lot of need," Deel says.

The City of Refuge has seen a steady increase in those looking for help in the last year. They help families in times of crisis with food, clothing, shelter, and job training. As the unemployment rate rises in Georgia, more people are asking for help.

Together, the small group of volunteers wipes away sweat as they sort through the boxes that hold more than shoes.

"These shoes give somebody a little bit of hope," Grimes says. "It's all those little things we do that have a cumulative effect on people's lives."

Scarlett Johansson Proves she is "Soleless"

Scarlett Johansson is barefoot and proud as she helps promote Soles4Souls' Second Annual Barefoot Week.

During Barefoot Week, Soles4Souls will be collecting gently worn shoes and distributing thousands of pairs of new shoes right here in the old USA.

Johnasson has already donated 2000 pairs of shows from her Reebok line and is encouraging everyone to get involved.

If you can’t dig deep in your pockets, than dig in your closet!“ said Johansson. “Americans can make a huge difference with Soles4Souls by donating shoes. Souls4Soles gives away a pair of shoes every 13 seconds in over 125 countries, with over 55 percent donated to fellow Americans.”

Shoe Giveaway in Indianapolis Benefits Hundreds

The line started forming two hours before a shoe giveaway began Monday at Wheeler Mission and eventually wrapped around the block.

For their wait, the hundreds of people received a free pair of dress or tennis shoes and a pair of flip-flops.

The giveaway kicked off the second annual National Barefoot Week from Soles4souls. Finish Line is working with Soles4Souls and service organizations in five cities this week to give away a total of 50,000 pairs of shoes. Free shoes also will be doled out in Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.; Los Angeles; and Portland, Ore.

Steve Kerr, chief development officer at Wheeler, said the mission was on target to give away 1,200 pairs of shoes Monday. The remaining shoes, about 9,000 pairs, will be donated to local service agencies.

Despite the long wait, a homeless Andrew King, Indianapolis, was looking forward to replacing his old shoes.

"My shoes are falling apart," King said. "I think it's really nice that they're doing this. Old shoes smell, and it makes you self-conscious when you're looking for a job."

Happy Barefoot Week!

As many of you know, today is the beginning our 2nd annual Barefoot Week!

All week long - churches, businesses, schools and the general public will host hundreds of concurrent shoe drives, fun runs & walkathons, retail trade-in events, concerts, festivals and more. Whether you volunteer your time, donate shoes/funds or receive a pair of shoes yourself, Barefoot Week will sure to be making a positive impact in thousands of lives.

Various celebrities are lending their support to Barefoot Week in hopes of encouraging more participation. Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Simpson, Randy Jackson, Zach Braff, Kellie Pickler, Tim Gunn, Antawn Jamison, Nick Lachey, Lance Bass, Riddick Bowe, Luke Perry, Amy Grant, and Chris Hope (among many other celebrities) are all supporting Soles4Souls this week.

We hope to see you at one of the many events around the country! For more information or to find an event near you, click here.

Soles4Souls Partner Eneslow, Celebrates 100 Years of Business

For 100 years New Yorkers have limped into Eneslow seeking solace for their aching hard-to-fit feet only to walk out with audible sighs of relief; having finally found an end to their suffering soles.

Established in 1909 by Edward and Nellie Stone Low as a medical shoe and orthotics establishment on Avenue A, the small family-owned business evolved into Eneslow, The Foot Comfort Center, a destination footwear emporium serving the pavement-pounding needs of New Yorkers with one of the world 's largest inventories of comfortable footwear.

Today, Robert S. Schwartz, a Board Certified Pedorthist and fourth-generation footwear maven, is president and CEO of Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises, Inc. He oversees Eneslow 's three retail locations which indicates that in spite of the economic downturn, the demand for Eneslow 's products and services is still going strong.

“New York is a walking city and there 's no getting around with tired, painful feet, ” said Schwartz. “We 've built a large and loyal base of customers who, by their own admission, could not walk in comfort without us. It gives me and my staff great satisfaction to provide solutions that keep down-trodden feet trotting.”

A grand opening event to celebrate a new 2,000-square-foot location at Second Avenue and 79th Street will take place on Wednesday, June 10. Celebrating in Style Eneslow will mark its centennial with a private party at its flagship store on Thursday, June 11, for its customers, vendors, medical professionals and city officials.

As a good corporate citizen, Eneslow supports several charities including Soles4Souls which collects gently worn and new shoes for those in need in New York and around the world. A collection box is at every Eneslow location and the Soles4Souls mobile collection van will be parked in front of the Eneslow flagship store all day on June 11.

Eneslow 's on-site factory enables customers to have their shoes repaired, modified, or custom made. For more information, visit www.eneslow.com or call 212-477-2300 or 800-ENESLOW.

NBA All-Star Supports Soles4Souls

Antawn Jamison, a 2-time NBA All-Star for the Washington Wizards is endorsing Soles4Souls.

“I applaud Soles4Souls for being so dedicated to helping provide shoes to everyone they encounter who needs them," stated Antawn. "We need more organizations like them who understand the true nature of giving while expecting nothing in return. They are making a difference in the world, one pair of shoes at a time,” he said.

Antawn is very involved in the community, especially with youth organizations. Antawn and national non-profit KaBOOM! have announced a partnership to encourage and promote play among children across the country. He also started “Antawn’s Army,” a charity ticket program in which he purchases tickets for numerous youth and student organizations every month.

For more information on Antawn, visit http://www.antawnjamison.com/.

Celebrity Endorsement: Lance Bass

Lance Bass, the former NSYNC star and Dancing with the Stars contestant, has endorsed Soles4Souls.

"I was amazed when I heard Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unworn shoes lying in their closets. I am proud to support Soles4Souls as they use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life," he said.

To learn more about Lance, visit www.lancebass.com.

Join Kellie Pickler in Support of Barefoot Week

Former American Idol star Kellie Pickler is asking for your support at the 2009 Barefoot Week, held during the first week of June.

“I am thrilled to support Soles4Souls and the 2009 Barefoot Week in order to help spread their mission to "change the world one pair at a time”. Their commitment is inspiring and I hope that thousands of people join me in support of the fantastic work they are doing across America,” said Kellie.

Kellie has won three Country Music Television Awards for her single 'I Wonder' and two awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. To learn more about Kellie and her music, visit http://www.kelliepickler.com/.

To learn more about Barefoot Week and how you can participate, click here.

Brittany Snow for Barefoot Week

Television and movie star Brittany Snow supports Soles4Souls and is asking people to participate during Barefoot Week.

"Whether it's a child struggling to go to school in Kenya, or an American who needs a pair of work boots, Soles4Souls is there to answer the simple requests of millions of people," stated Brittany. "We hope you will participate in Barefoot Week and help change the world, one pair at a time."


Brittany has starred in movies such as Hairspray, Prom Night and Finding Amanda, as well as starring in a number of television shows.

Zach Braff Donates Shoes to Soles4Souls

Not to be outdone by his 'Scrubs' co-star Donald Faision, Zach Braff is supporting Soles4Souls by donating a pair of signed shoes. Zach stars on the NBC comedy 'Scrubs' with fellow Soles4Souls supporter Donald Faison.

Zach has his own blog that features his unique thoughts, updates and video posts. You can read it here.

'Scrubs' Star Endorses Soles4Souls

Donald Faision, one of the stars from the TV show Scrubs, is publicly supporting Soles4Souls.

“It is easy to support charities like Soles4Souls that helps children of all cultures," said Faison. "Monies raised pay for expensive shipping and even a small donation of $5 for new shoes will help those children who are battling life’s problems and need a positive step up,” he said.

Celebrity Endorsement: Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson has acted in several movie and television shows, ventured into pop and country singing (achieving three gold and two multi-platinum RIAA-certified albums and seven Billboard Top 40 hits) and designs and markets a line of handbags, shoes and boots. Now Simpson is publicly supporting Soles4Souls.

"It's an honor to donate shoes to help Soles4Souls as they do incredible things for the less fortunate people in this world. I encourage everyone to lend support," said Simpson in a statement.

For more news, information and tour dates, visit http://www.jessicasimpson.com/.

Riddick Bowe Endorses Soles4Souls

Riddick Bowe, the former 2-Time Heavy Weight Boxing World Champion, is a proud supporter of Soles4Souls.

“Soles4Souls is an amazing organization doing amazing things to help people," said Riddick. "I don't know of any other organization that focuses on making sure people living in poverty have a decent pair of shoes on their feet. I'm definitely a proud supporter!”

Riddick was at the U.S. Capitol in April when thirty thousand pairs of shoes were laid out around the reflecting pool to draw attention to the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Each pair of shoes represented 100 lives lost.

Golf Legends Donate Shoes

Golf legends Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson signed and donated a pair of their golf shoes to be auctioned off for Soles4Souls.

Soles4Souls in The Seattle Times

Soles4Souls was mentioned in a recent Seattle Times article about walking toward well-being. Walking is the most popular exercise in America. It's easy, it's cheap and it's good for you.

In the article, Richard Seven says to 'give those old walking shoes a higher purpose by donating them to Soles4Souls, a charity that gives them to people in need across the world, including those who suffered from natural disasters.'

The article also features our fantastic partner Foot Solutions, a Bellevue specialty shoe company. Foot Solutions, which hosts annual shoe drives for Soles4Souls, conducts a class it calls Balance Walking that provides relief to joints, improves posture, burns calories and challenges core muscles.

"Help Us Collect Shoes" Drive

A pair of Stevenson High School students in Lincolnshire, IL are finding that their classmates and local residents have plenty of gym shoes to give away.

Sophomores McKinley Imus and Carlee Berland's were required to do a service project for their English class. They chose to collect athletic shoes, used but still usable, for Soles4Souls.

Their "Help Us Collect Shoes" drive begins this week, with the goal of collecting both 100 pairs of shoes and enough donated money to buy 100 more, all by May 1.

"At first, we were kind of scared, because we couldn't think of steps to get everybody in our community to help us," Berland said April 9. "But everything is kind of working out right now."

The pair have a shoe collection box in SHS' activities office and hoping to place another in Lincolnshire Village Hall.

A gym shoe drive came naturally, Berland said, as both are volleyball and basketball players. The idea evolved to include footwear of all kind.

"We both play sports, so we thought that doing a gym shoe drive would be really good," she said," but then we opened it up to any kind of shoe. It would be better for everybody if there were all kinds of shoes."

The Help Us Collect Shoes effort will also include a bake sale in SHS' Wood Commons sometime this week and a Facebook group of the same name, which has already attracted 254 members. Once the donation drive is complete, they plan to send the shoes to Soles4Souls in May.

Titan Hands Out Hundreds Of Free Pairs Of Shoes

Soles4Souls along with Shoe Carnival donated more than a thousand pair of clogs to the Nashville Rescue Mission.

Tennessee Titan All-Pro Safety Chris Hope went to the mission to help pass out free clogs to those less fortunate.

Hope has been the National Spokesman for Soles4Souls for three years, and he said giving away free shoes gave him a sense of purpose far past football.

"I'm here in Nashville, but I'm blessing people across the country by passing our shoes, but Soles4Souls has been doing it for many years and they've blessed many people and I'm glad to be a part of it," said Hope.

The safety donates $100 per tackle to Soles4Souls, the Nashville charity that gives away shoes to those in need. Hope has donated almost $30,000 to the organization himself.

"Anytime I'm donating money, that means I'm playing good so it's a blessing," said Hope.
A blessing to people like 29-year-old Adam Perkins, who's overcoming a drug addiction and has high praise for the Titan that gives his time to Soles4Souls.

"I'd like to say to Chris - thank you very much and God Bless you brother," said Perkins.

Soles4Souls at the HEP

Here is personal testimony from Zachary White, a housing manager for the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP). Zachary was at the footwear handout on May 6th in Clearwater, FL.


One older male living at our facility suffers from a degenerative disability affecting his back permanently. He was able to receive a pair of comfortable shoes providing him support when walking that he was not able to afford on his own.

A single mother coming from an outside agency explained she’s been having car troubles but acknowledged at the same time her children were badly in need of new shoes. This mother was able to take three pairs of shoes for her children and focus on getting her car fixed. She was ecstatic.

A gentleman seeking employment in this tough economy felt encouraged by his ability to look presentable with a nice pair of dress shoes for his interviews.

A client of ours suffering from multiple sclerosis was given a pair of low cut ankle boots to encourage a more steady gate and ankle support.

The overall attitude of the crowd of people we served this day was one of sincere appreciation and respect for the kindness that was displayed by your Soles4Souls program.

Thanks again,
Zachary White

Gladeville UMC to Gather Shoes

On June 7, Gladeville United Methodist Church in Gladeville, TN and hundreds of other congregations across the country are participating in Barefoot Sunday. Participants leave their shoes on the altar to be donated to the poor. Barefoot Sunday allows people to remove their shoes and walk out barefoot.

"Churches have always been incredibly responsive to our programs," said Wayne Elsey, founder and chief executive officer of Soles4Souls.

The efforts of Gladeville United Methodist Church and participating congregations will go directly toward helping put shoes on the feet of barefoot children. Gladeville Church will have a time during each morning service for new and gently worn shoes to be left at the altar. Gladeville has a contemporary service at 8:15 a.m. and a traditional service at 10:30 a.m.


Prior to Barefoot Sunday, shoes will be collected during regular business hours at the Gladeville office of Wilson Bank & Trust and Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the church office. Gladeville United Methodist Church is located at 8770 Stewarts Ferry Pike in Gladeville.

Girl Scouts Collect 500 Pair

The Junior Girl Scout Troop 1697 from Orange, CA collected 500 pairs of shoes for Sole4Souls. The girls delivered 392 pairs of the gently used shoes to New Balance in the South Coast Plaza where they will be shipped to the Soles4Souls warehouse in Las Vegas for distribution.

The shoe drive was completed with the help & support of their troop families as well as that of the Nohl Canyon Elementary School families and Girl Scout Service Unit 2. The Village at Orange Mall World Market also helped by donating the packing boxes for all the shoes.

It has been a busy and productive year for the Girls from Troop 1697. They have provided new tooth brushes for the needy in South East Asia, donated a complete Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner for a family of 6 and participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Great job girls!

Shoes Given to the Needy in San Rafael

For a person living on the street, sleeping in a doorway or camping in open space, one of the most critical things is to have healthy feet. A homeless person spends a large part of the time walking around, and discomfort or sore feet can inhibit that person from functioning. A good pair of shoes can mean the difference between feeling able to move around and spending the day in discomfort or pain; a difference that allows them to work or look for work and get around to the services they need.

Here are a couple of stories from men who recently received donated shoes from Soles4Souls in San Rafael, CA.

Stephen (above) is full of energy and highly motivated to change his circumstances. He camps out on the hill overlooking town, and is out every day looking for work. Because his income is limited, he tends to walk everywhere. Stephen was wearing shoes with holes in the soles. He was thrilled to get out of his very old dress shoes and into something new. The shoes we provided Stephen were comfortable walking shoes.

Julio (above) works in the construction trade, yet work is scarce right now and he can’t afford to keep up rent on a room. He lives outside in the industrial area of town and comes down every morning looking for work from independent contractors. His shoes were old and worn and smelled terrible. He was having a hard time getting around in them. A new pair of shoes and a few pairs of socks put this man in a position to keep working.

Boy Scouts Helping with Drive

Last week we blogged about Aldersgate United Methodist Church collecting shoes for Soles4Souls. With the help of some outstanding boy scouts, the shoe drive is moving along well. Here is an update printed in the Saturday edition of the Montgomery Advertiser:

Aldersgate United Methodist Church was a collection point for shoes today as Boy Scouts and their leaders took part in the “Soles4Souls” national program.

Most shoes were usable and some appeared to be new as church members and scouts took turns accepting them from vehicles that pulled into the church parking lot.

As the volunteers waited for donations, Scout adviser Jim Hinkle occasionally checked on shoes that had been deposited in a large room at the church.

“We’ve been putting them in here the past couple of days and will make sure they get to the right place for distribution,” said Hinkle.

Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based organization, has distributed more than 4 million pairs of shoes to people in more than 70 counties.

The collection program is being held until May 17, and the Aldersgate scouts elected to get as many as they could today.

The scouts, who are members of the Aldersgate-sponsored Troop 307, took turns during the day holding up a sign along Vaughn Road, encouraging motorists to bring shoes to the church.
Khristen Carlson, who coordinated the shoe collection project, said they will be delivered to the Soles4Souls main warehouse in the east Alabama community of Roanoke.

“Having a pair of shoes is something that most of us take for granted,” she said. “Soles4Souls donates a pair of shoes to someone in need every 17 seconds.”

One of those who drove to Aldersgate on this morning was William Wood, who attends Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church.

“This is a great program, and I’m happy to do what I can to see that needy people get some shoes,” said Wood, who brought more than a dozen pairs to the church.

He said he and his wife often donate shoes and clothes to charitable organizations but decided to give the Aldersgate scouts their shoes this time.

High School Student Collecting Shoes for Needy

Molly McQuade, a sophomore from Joel Barlow High School in Redding, PA wants to take advantage of spring cleaning efforts by Redding and Easton residents.

For the next week, she is collecting shoes for Soles4Souls. Molly hopes while people are going through their closets as part of spring cleaning, they will consider helping others and donating shoes.

She first heard about the organization through her father, Michael, who works at ESPN. A story on the network featured a basketball team that traveled to Third World countries contributing shoes.

“I thought this would be a unique way to help those in need,” Molly said. “It’s not what you think of as an everyday charity, but shoes are really needed.”

“Plus, everyone can contribute,” she added.

Shoe donation boxes are set up for the next week at Joel Barlow High School, John Read Middle School, Redding Elementary School, Helen Keller Middle School, Samuel Staples Elementary School, the Redding Community Center on Lonetown Road and the Easton Community Center.

BRIEF Aldersgate UMC collecting shoes

Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL at 6610 Vaughn Road will be collecting new or slightly worn shoes to aid those in need worldwide. Shoes collected will be donated to Soles4Souls, where they will be cleaned and shipped to areas of need.

Collection bins are available throughout the church, and a community wide drop-off event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the church's front parking lot.

Members of the Boy Scout Troop 307, sponsored by the Aldersgate United Methodist Men, will be on hand to collect donations.

Khristen Carlson, coordinator of the shoe drive, said the donated shoes will be banded together in pairs and then delivered to the Soles4Souls primary warehouse facility in Roanoke, VA.

"Having a pair of shoes to wear is something that most of us take for granted," Carlson said in a statement. "Soles4Souls donates a pair of shoes to someone in need every 17 seconds. Our mission at Aldersgate is 'To know Jesus and to make Him known.' This is one way in which we can show the love of Christ to those in need."

The shoe drive will continue through May 17.  

Shoes Distributed to Kids in India

Soles4Souls recently donated shoes to Peace Builders, a non-profit that ships aid to children in war-torn and disaster-stricken countries. Peace Builders distributed the kids athletic shoes to orphans in India.

Diane Eskenazi, the Director and founder of Peace Builders, said many of the children had never experienced lace up shoes. Adults were enlisted to do the unlacing and lacing and most children needed to have the function and position of the tongue demonstrated for them, she said. Soon the same boys would put these newly acquired skills to use as they eagerly and generously helped the younger children.

"All of the children couldn't wait to put their shoes to the test," said Eskenzi. "They were running, jumping, dancing or just standing and admiring their newly shod feet!”

learning to tie shoes

DIANI Sole Shakedown

After a hugely successful turnout last year, the team at DIANI is gearing up for its third annual Soles4Souls event. DIANI, located in Santa Barbara, CA has stepped up in a big way in years past, collecting more than 1,000 pairs of gently worn men’s, women’s, and children’s flat-soled shoes.

Drop yours by the shop anytime between now and the big soirée, which will go down on Thursday, May 21, from 6-10 p.m., with hosts Carolyn Murphy and Tracy and Noah Wyle, and which will feature wine and hors d’oeuvres by Demetria Estate.

DIANI is located on 1324 State Street, Suite H. For more information, visit http://www.dianiboutique.com.

Shoe Sellers Give to Shelters

Executives of the National Shoe Retailers Association decided to include a community service event during their annual conference at St. Pete Beach. Partnering with Soles4Souls, the group is working to donate more than 1,500 pairs of shoes to needy residents at the Pinellas Hope transitional camp today and other shelters across the county.

The group first contacted Soles4Souls six months ago to see if they would be interested in assisting with the project.

"They didn't think it would be appropriate to do all the things they normally do," said Chris Carmichael, who works for Soles4Souls and was on hand to help with the event. "They wanted to all come out for a day of service."

The conference, at the Don CeSar Beach Resort, will feature several executives from major shoe retailers across the country, including Nike, Timberland and Kenneth Cole.

Carmichael partnered with Rhonda Abbott, manager of social services planning for the city of St. Petersburg, who identified Pinellas Hope and two other shelters that could benefit from leftover shoes. All the shoes delivered will be new. People who are unable to find shoes in their size will receive a voucher for a pair to be shipped to the agency or shelter where they receive services.

"I was glad that we were chosen, because they travel all over the world doing this," Abbott said. She added that the donation was coming at a time when charitable contributions are low because of the weakening economy and more families are needy.

Shoe Carnival Joins Forces with Soles4Souls

Shoe Carnival and Soles4Souls are partnering for the second straight year on a promotion aimed at putting shoes on the feet of people who need them most. From May 6th until May 26th, all Shoe Carnival customers will have the opportunity to donate $1 during checkout, which will go directly to helping people in need.

Funds raised during the Shoe Carnival promotion will be applied toward sending a new pair of shoes to victims of natural disasters or those living in extreme poverty, both here in the United States and around the world.

"Shoe Carnival is proud to continue our support of Soles4Souls through this exclusive fundraising program," said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. "Their mission to provide shoes for those in need is a message that resonates with our customers. The funds raised in our stores will make a meaningful impact in the lives of people in need around the world."

In addition to the fundraising program in all 300 Shoe Carnival stores, Soles4Souls and Shoe Carnival are partnering in seven major Shoe Carnival markets for shoe giveaways to local charities. Together, Soles4Souls and Shoe Carnival are donating thousands of new shoes to shelters and agencies in Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Nashville, Cincinnati and Louisville.

21-Year-Old Entrepreneur Pledges to Help Children in Need

21-year-old entrepreneur and footwear retailer Alex Curavo is pledging to donate more than 1,000 pair of shoes to children in third world countries by the end of the year through his newest venture, My Kids Feet.

"More than 300 million children around the world walk on dirt roads and in dangerous debris-filled fields every day," said Curavo. "I witnessed this first hand last January while working for another non-profit organization in rural areas of the Dominican Republic. It broke my heart to see young children walking around barefoot on unpaved roads covered in trash and broken glass. I want to do something to help those children."

My Kids Feet has partnered with Soles4Souls and has pledged to donate one new pair of shoes or sandals to a child in need for every pair of Morgan & Milo or Dinosoles brand children's shoes sold on the company's website in 2009.

"Being a new start-up with modest sales, my goal is to donate 1,000 pair of shoes by the end of the year. If we can do more, I would be very excited," Curavo said.

Customers can join the cause by purchasing a pair of Morgan & Milo or Dinosoles shoes for their children at http://www.mykidsfeet.com/ or donating a pair of shoes directly by mailing them to a Soles4Souls collection center.

Shoes on the Mall

Thirty thousand pairs of shoes were laid out around the reflecting pool near the U.S. Capitol to draw attention to the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Each pair of shoes represented 100 lives lost.

Students from Loudoun County's Briar Woods High School (Ashburn, VA) collected the shoes, which will be distributed by Soles4Souls to Sudan and other parts of the world.

"The work that the students put in prior to this event really means so much," said Paul Wilson, president of the Soles4Souls World Outreach Division. "Some people do not have one pair of shoes."

Many of the shoes will be distributed in Sudan, with the rest given to homeless shelters, missions and international aid organizations across North America and other parts of the world. The remainders that are unacceptable for distribution will be recycled for playground surfaces.

Nick Carmean, 17, a senior at Briar Woods, said: "History teaches us that you have to pay attention to world events, and with the genocide taking place in Darfur, you have to do something about it."

Carmean was a student in Logan Williams's international relations class, which spearheaded the project. Former heavy weight boxing champion Riddick Bowe and Nyasha Zimucha, Miss Africa USA 2008-09, were also on hand for the event.

Prarie Striders Shoe Drive

Prairie Striders running club of Brookings, SD is joining with Soles4Souls to collect new and used shoes for the needy.

Strider board member Lyle Claussen has been working on a low-key approach with the group since last summer and collected 103 pairs. Shoes can be left at the office of physical therapist Chuck McCullough in the Avera Brookings Medical Clinic, 400 22nd Ave., and Bartling's Nike Shoes, 410 Fourth St.

Claussen said the shoes should have "some life left" in them, but they need not be just running shoes.

"Soles4Souls accepts dress shoes, men and women's , work boots. About anything that people have, they can use," Claussen said.

Freed-Hardeman Group Collects More than 1,000 Pairs of Shoes

At various locations on the Freed-Hardeman University campus in Henderson, TN, boxes are full of shoes. Dress shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops and more are filling donation boxes for Soles4Souls.

The College Democrats of Freed-Hardeman started a shoe and money drive on March 24, said Greg Massey. He is the faculty sponsor of the College Democrats at the university. Those students and others are sponsoring the shoe drive and are collecting new and gently worn shoes of all types and sizes, he said.

"We will deliver them to Soles4Souls in Nashville," Massey said.

Justin Spurlock, a junior education major, is president of the College Democrats. The group decided this could be a great community service project.

"This started off with just a few people, but then others started coming to us asking to help," he said. "Eventually, the education department and the student teachers club raised about $200 and bought several new pairs of shoes."

Spurlock said he was surprised by the amount of shoes they have collected. In the attic of the building that houses Massey's office, more than 1,000 pairs have been sorted and are ready to be delivered.

Massey said FHU's chapter of the College Democrats became rejuvenated in January, and this shoe drive helped the club grow.

"It's not about politics but about empowering people," he said. "And giving shoes is a good first step in helping people."

Soles4Souls Collector Aims for 100,000 Pair

Growing up with his mother, two brothers and a sister in lovely and mountainous Cayey, Puerto Rico, Alexander Diaz was poor, but, he said, he "always had a pair of shoes." Today, he is working to make sure that 100,000 needy people around the world receive the same.

"I would be the first individual to donate 100,000 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls. That is my goal. I always reach my goals," he said.

Diaz said his family in Puerto Rico valued shoes as something special, not something to be taken for granted.

"My mother worked hard to provide for us. We worked hard for a pair of shoes. That's what I wanted for my birthday. When my feet are happy, I am happy."

Diaz lives in Charlton, MA and owns the UPS Store franchises at 482 Southbridge St., Auburn; 210 Park Ave., Worcester; and 800 Main St., Holden. They are collecting new and "gently used" shoes at these and other locations.

"So many people have been affected by the recession. So many people are in need. Shoes can make a huge difference in their lives," Diaz said.

St. Joseph's Church of Auburn also heeded his call for help, as well as a volunteer group from Auburn High School and the Boy Scout Troop 101. After less than two months of collecting shoes, Diaz has more than 2,500 pairs of shoes, all boxed and stored along the walls of the UPS Store in Auburn.

"They will go all over the United States and all over the world," he said. "We can keep the feet of 100,000 people with something on them, making them feel better."