Nashville Megachurch HopePark Partners with Soles4Souls(R), the Shoe Charity, to Aid Recovery in Haiti

Church opens doors to Soles4Souls' CEO to help raise funds for relief effort

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Jan 14, 2010, 12:01 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Nashville's hopepark church announced late Wednesday it will help Soles4Souls Inc., the shoe charity, in their efforts to ship 100,000 pairs of shoes to the survivors of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. The death toll from the 7.0 earthquake is estimated to reach more than 100,000 people. It is considered the worst disaster to hit the Caribbean in more than 200 years.

After hearing news of the disaster and watching the devastation unfold, hopepark Pastor David Perez knew his church body would want to respond and support the people of Haiti. Once he received word of the shoe charity's commitment, he reached out to Soles4Souls.

"Showing compassion to our neighbors by growing faith, giving hope and spreading love is one of the principles on which our church operates," explained Perez, who has led the hopepark church (formerly Bellevue Community Church) since 2007. "The scale of the tragedy in Haiti moves all of us to respond. Fortunately, Soles4Souls is positioned to begin immediately delivering relief – and hope – to the people of Haiti."

On Sunday, January 17th, Soles4Souls' Founder Wayne Elsey will be present at hopepark church to share the mission of the shoe charity and allow congregants the opportunity to support the relief efforts in place. The services are broadcast live on the Internet at hopepark.com/resources/webcast.

"Recovery for the people of Haiti will require a sustained humanitarian effort from everyone who can give," said Wayne Elsey. "We are grateful to our partners at hopepark for their support and need other organizations to get involved in the process of rescuing and rebuilding the lives of these victims."

According to Elsey, a pair of decent shoes is absolutely necessary in order to participate effectively in rescue and rebuilding efforts among broken glass, twisted metal and raw sewage. The shoe charity has received truckloads of work boots, rain boots, children's athletic shoes, sport sandals, socks and other accessories to be delivered as soon as possible to aid centers in Haiti. In partnership with several other aid organizations, Soles4Souls is also sending emergency aid that includes footwear, food, medical supplies, bottled water, tents, blankets, baby products and more.

For more information on how to get involved and donate to the victims in Haiti, visit www.giveshoes.org.

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 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

About the hopepark church

Founded in 1988, the hopepark church is defined by its congregation's commitment to growing faith, giving hope and spreading love. hopepark has become known as a church where all are welcome – regardless of background or belief – because every life is important to God.

hopepark services are held Sundays at 8:30am, 10am and 11:30am, and are broadcast live on the Internet. Learn more at www.hopepark.com.

SOURCE Soles4Souls