The Gift Of Shoes

I have talked about buying shoes made of Recycled Materials before. I have even talked about Donating your clothes and Shoes to be Recycled and worn by others. What an easy way to be GREEN, save the planet and help someone in need.

Today I want to share some information about an Organization (Soles 4 Souls), that really seems to be making a difference.

Remember, I live in the desert and I know how important shoes are. They might just be a piece of rubber but they prevent the third degree burns that the sun has no problem dishing out. Even people in our own country need and have needed shoes (remember, Hurricane Katrina).

So read on to learn more about Soles 4 Souls, the second annual "Barefoot Week" (June1-7), and ways that you can help. I have enclosed the entire article with phone numbers at the bottom for any one that may want more information. You can also visit their site and for $10 or less buy 1-3 pairs of shoes. It's just that easy to make a difference.

Soles4Souls, the Shoe Charity, Announces Schedule for the

Second Annual "Barefoot Week," June 1-7

Non-profit rolls out event plans & celebrity support to encourage public participation

NASHVILLE, TN -- Soles4Souls™ Inc., the international shoe charity dedicated to providing a free pair of shoes to people in need, announced its schedule for Barefoot Week 2009 today. The non-profit organization will be distributing more than 50,000 pairs of new shoes in the United States while it also collects "gently worn" shoes from the general public during thousands of concurrent shoe drives at schools, churches and community centers.

"We want to invite people to join hundreds of thousands of Soles4Souls supporters around the world in participating in Barefoot Week," said Wayne Elsey, Founder & CEO of Nashville-based Soles4Souls. "Anyone can make an important difference to someone in need by starting their own shoe drive, cleaning out their closet, sending us a new pair of shoes or making a simple cash donation. Our charity thrives on the active involvement of everyday people making the decision to step up and help less fortunate people, both here in the United States and around the world," he said.

Celebrities are also lending their support of Barefoot Week in hopes of encouraging more participation with the charity's programs. Scarlett Johansson, who previously donated 2000 pairs of new shoes from her own line of Reebok footwear, is lending her name to help raise publicity about Barefoot Week. Other celebrities, such as Antawn Jamison, Jessica Simpson, Brittany Snow, Kellie Pickler, Luke Perry, Riddick Bowe, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Chris Hope, Jeff Fisher and Tim Dunn have also voiced their support for the weeklong series of events.

The charity will be handing out a total of 50,000 new shoes to homeless youth and families in need in five U.S. cities: Indianapolis (June 1st), Atlanta (June 2nd), Birmingham (June 3rd), Los Angeles (June 4th and 6th) and Portland (June 5th).

"The Barefoot Week events are designed to give immediate aid to Americans in need during extremely difficult times," said Elsey, "but they also serve in bringing communities together over a single purpose -- helping less fortunate people with the simple gift of shoes," he said.

The full event schedule is:

Monday, June 1st: In Indianapolis, Soles4Souls will be working with Wheeler Mission Ministries to hand out 4,000 pairs of new shoes and 6,000 pairs of flip-flops to people served by the downtown mission. Visit www.wheelermission.org for more information.

Tuesday, June 2nd: In Atlanta, Soles4Souls will be working with City of Refuge, a non-profit organization that offers both life saving resources and life building tools to individuals and families in Atlanta who are living on the margin. They will be handing out 4,000 pairs of new shoes and 6,000 pairs of flip-flops. Visit www.cityofrefugeinc.com for more information on the Soles4Souls partner in Atlanta.

Wednesday, June 3rd: Soles4Souls will be working side-by-side with The Foundry, a Birmingham-area charity focused on rebuilding lives and restoring hope of recovering addicts, ex-inmates and the

homeless. They will be handing out 4,000 pairs of new shoes and 6,000 pairs of flip-flops. Learn more at www.thefoundryonline.org.

Thursday, June 4th: Soles4Souls will be at the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles, working with thousands of homeless on Skid Row. The Mission provides a myriad of services to people in need, such as education and job opportunities, drug and alcohol treatment, and medical and legal services. They will be handing out 4,000 pairs of new shoes and 6,000 pairs of flip-flops. Visit www.midnightmission.org for more information.

Friday, June 5th: Soles4Souls will be working with local retailer Shoe Mill (www.shoemill.com), as well as adidas (also headquartered in Portland) to provide 5,000 pairs of new shoes and 3,000 pairs of new socks to the large homeless youth population and families living on the streets. The event will be held in the North Park Blocks (NW 8th and NW Everett Streets). Delivered Dish (www.d-dish.com), a local restaurant delivery service, is catering the event. Janus Youth Programs (www.janusyouth.org), Outside In (www.outsidein.org), Bridgetown Ministries (www.bridgetownministries.com) and other homeless programs for at-risk youth are jointly sponsoring the event.

On Saturday, June 6th, Soles4Souls will return to Los Angeles and appear at the Los Angeles Mission (www.losangelesmission.org) to distribute 2500 pairs of new shoes and 3500 pairs of flip-flops to the needy people served during the annual "Community BBQ" sponsored by the Mission.

About Soles4Souls

Nashville-based Soles4Souls™ facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs (currently donating one pair every 13 seconds) to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States. The charity has been featured recently in Runner's World and the Green Guide by National Geographic. It has also appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

CONTACTS:

Chris Carmichael, chrisc@giveshoes.org 615-391-5723 ext 143

Kim Dettwiller, kimd@giveshoes.org 615-330-5656