“Million Shoe Mission”
1,000,000 Shoes for Soles 4 Souls
Press Conference
April 6th 2011 at 1:00PM
Roy’s Shoes - 1627 Ellis Street
Mayor Sharon Shepherd – Maxine DeHart- Jim Belshaw
Soles4Souls
Changing the world, One Pair at a time
Aril 6th through April 30th 2011
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| Jim Belshaw of Roy's Shoes |
KELOWNA, BC – Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club has adopted Roy’s Shoes Soles4Souls shoe campaign and announces that they have committed to collect 1 million pairs of shoes within the next 5 years. This year’s goal is to collect 100,000 pairs in 25 days. The shoe collection drive runs from April 6 through to April 30th.
Last year we had tremendous success and with the generous hearts of the Okanagan people we collected over 40,000 pairs of Shoes in 25 days.
This year, working again with the international shoe charity Soles4Souls USA Sunrise Rotary’s goal of 100,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days will be achieved by the assistance of other Rotary Clubs, service organizations and the people of the Thompson/Okanagan area.
Last year 7,000 pairs of the 40,000 pairs of shoes collected remained in the Okanagan and were distributed out to the community through agencies like Gospel Mission, Now Canada, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and the Friendship Center. The remaining shoes were shipped to a Soles4Souls sorting center in Nevada where they were resorted and shipped to the people most in need, primarily Haiti last year.
Since it’s inception in 2005 Soles4Souls have distributed over 13.5 million pairs of shoes, supports 127 countries and is committed to assisting Japan with 100,000 pairs of shoes already shipped with more to come.
Whether it’s Southeast Asia, New Orleans, Haiti, Africa, or Japan, Soles4Souls is committed to helping people in the midst of extreme poverty and those recovering from natural disasters by providing shoes that will protect them from disease and provide them a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.
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| Click Picture for Drop Off Locations |
The tragedy in Japan reminds us of the 300 million children around the world who live a life of tragedy and disaster every day. By giving them the gift of shoes, you tell them that it’s possible to dream beyond their current situation and remind them that there are people who love and care about them.
If you’re interested in supporting Soles4Souls’ relief efforts, let me encourage you to visit http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/ to find the nearest shoe drop-off location. Monetary donations can be made at Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/
Situations like Japan remind us just how much we have. Consider sharing your extra shoes and a few extra dollars to help change the lives of people around the world with the gift of shoes.
There are 3 ways to help
1) Drop off shoe locations at anyone of the drop off locations see http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/ for all locations
Roy’s Shoes, All Capri Insurance, Marks Work Wear, McDonalds and OK Tire Shops
2) A $1.00 donation buys 1 pairs of NEW SANDALS. Go to http://www.kelownasunriserotary.com/
3) Organize a shoe drive at school, church, and your place of business or your neighborhood!!!
WE NEED YOU TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS!!!
Estimates are that every person has 3 or 4 pairs at least in their closet that are not worn any more but still in good shape. We ask that you clean out your closets but convince your friends, neighbors and relatives to do the same. We ask that the shoes have no holes in the soles and in decent shape. All footwear including sandals and boots are accepted and needed.
PLEASE TIE SHOES TOGETHER OR USE ELASTIC BANDS TO HOLD SHOES IN PAIRS
It is also the GREEN thing to do. There are tons of discarded footwear in the landfills that when break down the toxic glue that holds our shoes together can leak into our water supply and atmosphere.
Thompson/Okanagan citizens and companies interested in donating can visit the Soles4Souls at http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/ or call Jim Belshaw @ Roy’s Shoes 250-763-5696
About Soles4Souls® - Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 13.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 127 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Visit http://www.giveshoes.org/ for more information.
About the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Kelowna. Sunrise Rotary Club is part of a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world
Since Kelowna Sunrise Club’s inception 25 years ago they have raised and distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars into the community. Sixty percent of all funds stay right here in Kelowna and the remaining go to international projects.
SOLES4SOULS CONTACT:
Jim Belshaw
Roy’s Shoes Boots and Repair
1627 Ellis Street, Kelowna, V1Y2A8
250-763-5696
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